Trevor Ariza Joins Davis Bertans On The List Of Players Who Won’t Play In The Orlando NBA Bubble, But For A Very Different Reason

PREVIOUSLY: Davis Bertans Sitting Out NBA Playoff Bubble; Could He Be The First Of Many?

After Davis Bertans excluded himself from playing in Orlando’s NBA bubble, our guy Sam Smith speculated that he could be the first of many to do that seemingly drastic move. While Bertans’ decision not to play seems like more of a business decision given a torrid 3-point shooting year and a history of ACL injuries in a contract year, Trevor Ariza is the second player to officially announce he won’t play. And the reason is a lot more sentimental, according to ESPN:

Portland Trail Blazers forward Trevor Ariza is opting-out of participation in the NBA’s Orlando restart of the season, committing instead to a one-month visitation window with his young son, sources tell ESPN.

Ariza, a starter, has been involved in a custody case over his 12-year old son, and the mother’s choice of granting a court-ordered one month visitation period during the league’s quarantine of teams in Orlando left Ariza to choose those parenting responsibilities over competing with the Blazers in the 22-team re-start, sources said.

Ariza, 34, could lose between $1 million and $1.8 million in salary, based on whether the Blazers qualify for the playoffs, for not participating in the restart. Ariza has a minimally-guaranteed $12.8 million contract for the 2020-2021 season.

That’s a real tough move by the mother of Trevor Ariza’s son. I wouldn’t put all the blame on her because who knows the situation. But Trevor Ariza legitimately has to choose between a million dollars and a month with his son and he’s choosing his son. That’s some real Dad love, especially just a day after Father’s Day.

Although Trevor Ariza isn’t active on social media, and hasn’t tweeted since 2016, I thought his bio on there also articulated Ariza’s world views well:

I don’t know anything about Trevor Ariza’s personal life. But anyone who can’t see the love and sacrifice that the man has for his kids must be blind.

P.S.: Shhhh but no Trevor Ariza means a lot more potential minutes for one other player who also has been rumored to not want to come to the Orlando NBA bubble. You think 15 shot attempts and 30+ minutes a game for a potential playoff team might be what lures him back?

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