According to ESPN, Trevor Ariza is now set on leaving the Lakers due to apparent bad blood, and is willing to accept the mid-level amount.

I think the Suns should move on this, and fast.  Here's why:

1. Youth - We could resign Hill and get someone like Dice or Smith.  But why?  If we are trying to get younger, why not sign Ariza? While I'm not a deluded Lakers fan who believes he's the next Scottie Pippen, I don't see any reason why he can't replicate what Shawn Marion did for this team in the Run and Gun offense.  I'm not even saying Ariza is as good as Marion in his prime, just that he's a great rebounder, defender, athletic finisher, and unlike Marion, doesn't need to be a #1 or 2 opttion.

2. Talent - I kind of already covered this, but I don't think Hill gives you a lot more than Ariza does anyway.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Grant Hill.  But he's billed as our "top defender" and honestly, Ariza is much better in that category.  Ariza may not have the shooting touch, but I think his speed makes up for it.  I would love to see him grabbing lobs from Nash.

3. Money - I know the Suns don't have a lot of it. But we did save a deal of it in the Shaq trade - around 3 million, if I'm right.  I believe the Mid-level exception is a bit shy of 6 million a year? Well, were' definitely gonna get another 3 from Ben Wallace - either from trading him for Chandler (which I've seen nets us  about 2.5 mill in savings) or even more in a buyout.  If it comes down to it, I'd even rather have Ariza than Chandler. I would also dump J-Rich basically to make this happen.

Is it possible? I think so.  If there is bad blood between Ariza and the Lakers, the Suns give him a great chance to stick to Kupchak and the boys in gold.  Honestly, I also think we're a better fit that some of the other teams going after him too.  Besides, look at this roster, and tell me it doesn't make you salivate:

Nash/Dragic

Richardson/Barbosa

 Ariza/Clark

Stoudemire/Amundson

Chandler/Lopez

Folks. we have here the best starting 5 since 2004, the first with a legit center, and a honest-to-goodness bench.  Hell, I'm not even sure Grant doesn't resign for the vet minimum if we can pull this off, because we would have as good of a chance as anyone in the west to take out the lakers