Photo Credit: Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Blazers Tried To Persuade Trevor Ariza To Join Them In The Bubble After All, But Failed

Veteran forward Trevor Ariza was one of the many players who opted against playing in the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida.

But unlike others he didn’t have an issue with the safety or a possible threat to his health due to the coronavirus. Arzia purposely missed out on the Bubble for a very important personal matter. 

Ariza has been involved in a custody case over his 12-year-old son, and the one-month visitation period, that has been granted by the mother of his child, has fallen into the same time span as the NBA restart.

While the Blazers were very understanding of Ariza putting his parenting responsibilities over competing for a playoffs spot, they nonetheless tried to get the 16-year veteran to come to Disney World after the games in Orlando started.

Per Yahoo Sports:

“A few weeks ago, members of the Trail Blazers tried to persuade Trevor Ariza to reconsider joining them in the bubble, sources told Yahoo Sports. Ariza opted out of the restart due to a one-month visitation window he had long scheduled with his son.

“The possibility was explored, but sources said the Trail Blazers had to have previously applied for a hardship waiver or a late-arrival form for Ariza to be considered for entry into the bubble. Even if those steps were taken, the league would have likely denied the request because Ariza chose to opt out, wasn’t included on the restart roster and didn’t arrive with his team on July 9.

“Players within the organization were upset with the outcome, sources said. Portland added Jaylen Adams to the roster as a replacement player.”

Ariza, who started in every single one of his 21 games with the Blazers after his trade from the Kings, has averaged 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 33.4 minutes per game, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from three and 87.2 percent from the line. He definitely could have helped his team in their quest to reach the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.