UPDATE: Ariza To Join Rockets After Artest Moves To Lakers

After rumors of Ron Artest signing with the Lakers were tweeted around on Twitter, it seems like the tables have turned for the Houston Rockets.

The Associated Press (first reported on KRIV-TV) is reporting that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey met with Lakers free agent forward Trevor Ariza Thursday in Las Vegas.

Head coach Rick Adelman was also with Morey and Ariza, but the AP could not confirm that.

Ariza could be a backup plan in case Artest signs somewhere else, like Cleveland or L.A. But his youth and clutch shooting could help the Rockets to be more of a fast-paced team.

It also could show that Morey has taken his attention off of Marcin Gortat, who the Rockets tried to woo a few days ago. But in free agency, things can change quickly.

UPDATE: According to ESPN, Ariza has verbally agreed to sign with the Rockets, a few hours after Artest said he will sign with the Lakers.

It's not clear who has gotten the better of this free-agent trade, but the Rockets do get younger, while the Lakers get weirder and wilder.