Trevor Ariza was sitting in an NBA locker room and wearing a Lakers' jersey, right where he hoped he would always end up.

"I think everybody from L.A. was a Lakers' fan growing up," the newest member of the Lakers said. "I think I liked Eddie Jones a lot. I think they had just drafted Kobe [Bryant] and had Shaq [O'Neal] and all those guys."

Ariza helped lead L.A. Westchester High to two state championships and then played a year at UCLA before making himself available for the NBA draft. He became the youngest player ever for the New York Knicks and, four seasons later, found himself a member of his hometown team.

"I'm super excited to be back home with my family, to be around a great organization, get a new start, get a chance to start over," Ariza said.

The Lakers, who acquired Ariza from the Orlando Magic for Brian Cook and Mo Evans on Tuesday, are hoping Ariza can play strong defense at small forward and fill the lanes in transition on offense.

Ariza, who will wear jersey No. 3, passed a physical but did not play Wednesday against Milwaukee because he arrived after the Lakers' morning shoot-around.