Sacramento Bee: Houston a dark horse for Artest trade

F Artest. Pick him up for scraps at best. I'm not willing to give up guys who have a future here and devoted to the team (Brooks, Scola...are you kidding me?!?!?). Don't forget, Artest only looks out for Artest. Rather then try to win he wanted to get kicked out of that Jazz game. (Thanks for posting that btw.)

 

Which is why everyone (especially Daryl Morey) should listen to the wise words of Nancy Reagan and JUST SAY NO!

Artest is like Bonzi on speed... you may get something good out of him but only if he decided he wants to give it.

I like the guys we have, if you can get a good piece that isn't going to rock the boat or take players that can help you in the future of the franchise then sure pick him up. But don't make changes to get someone who will undoubtedly change the makeup of our team dynamic. Especially when we are just now developing chemistry.

 

If we want to win and be contenders, the team needs to take risks. I would trade Battier + Head + 1st round for Artest.

 

Bad trade. Artest is a knucklehead and could kill our chemistry and future.

 

I would give up Snyder, Luther, #1 draft pick, and only one rookie: Brooks, or Landry for Artest. Ron would put us right up there with the top teams. With this defense I would not be afraid of any team. I would also give this same package for Mike Miller. Kidd and Bibby contracts are too big for us to match with our contracts that don't include T-Mac and Yao. Also neither Kings or Grizzles would want Mike James contract. They both want young talent and expiring contracts so we got to be realistic. Dream 4th quarter line-up: T-mac, Artest, Battier, Yao, Scola/Hayes. Definately no lay-ups or uncontested jumpers. Oh well back to reality

 

This works:

Houston Trades:
Snyder (expiring)
Francis (potential buyout)
Mike James
Chuck Hayes (good, young PF)
Luther Head (good, young SG)

Sacramento Trades:
Ron Artest
Kenny Thomas

we don't really give up a lot to get Artest, but have to take back KT, who sucks.

Lineup:

PG: Alston, James
SG: T-Mac, Bonzi
SF: Artest, Shane
PF: Scola, Landry
C: Yao, Deke

 

Artest would kill all the chemistry we've developed so far. No way would I ever want him on our team. He's never proven he can win, or make his team better. You can't underestimate the value of character. Phoenix wanted Shaq more for his winning influence than his deteriorating skills, and for that same reason, we should NOT want Artest.

 

Can't take this trade because of the future implications. KT has one of the worst contracts in the league. If Artest walked we would be in salary cap hell for several years.

I have no problem with Brooks and filler for Artest. Artest is not a chemistry killer. In fact, most of his teammates have loved him, because of his constant effort.

I would also do Shane straight up for Artest. Artest is a better defender and a better offensive player. If he walks after the year we will have opened up quite a bit of space to sign a free agent.

I would never give up Scola or Landry in the deal. They are our future at Pf and a bright future it is. Artest could put us over the top this year. Battier is what he is, a solid role player, that we would probably trade in the offseason if we take another first round exit.

 

cross out the pick and maybe (a big maybe) i'd personally do it on a good mood day. but i know there's no way morey will trade away battier.

again, the only piece on the kings we should be shooting for is bibby. and that ain't gonna happen either.

 

Everyone keeps saying we need to take risks. Well just make sure you're prepared to sit Artest at the end of the bench w/ no playing time at all, because that's a very possible scenario. Meaning we can't give up anyone in Adelman's steady rotation right now otherwise we'll be crippled.

That said, I've already mentioned in a previous Artest thread that I'd be interested to see how he acts on a team w/ other superstars. He's always been the alpha dog on every team he's been on, and as such hasn't had to really respect them as much as they respected him. I'm just guessing Morey isn't the type of guy to jump on this deal unless it's for our garbage time guys, who aren't bad at all on paper (MJ, Francis, Snyder).

 

Thanks for putting this qualifyer...no offense, but the rest of your post proves it.

Oh, and then we would lose Artest at the end of the season, or he would just go nuts, or something?

No way we should give up Shane.

If we can get Artest for people like Snyder, Francis, Wells...I'd do it. Losing Battier? No way!

 

Brooks and Scola have proven future here, unlike Artest.

Morey knows it, don't worry, me personaly would never trade any younger player for Artest, I wouldn't trade any player for him damn but it's on Daryl.

 

This writer obviously has no concept of the value of promising, young rookies and understanding why teams like to keep players like that. Dream on.....

 

Here's my question to anyone who favors acquisition of Artest:

How much would you pay to retain him next year?

His agent wants $14 Million a year. Clearly, that's just agent talk and no one would give it to him.

Do you want Artest as a 1/2 season rental? If you think he has a long term-future as a Rocket, how much would you pay for his services?

If I were Morey, I'd pay about $9 million. If he wants more than that, then he's is a rental and I won't give up the future for him.

 

Dejavu anyone?
Wasn't this brought up last year?

Or am I just confusing it with Bonzi's situation two years ago?

 

We only need a PG desperately. If Artest can be obtained with MJ and Synder, I am all for it.

 

seriously i dont think brooks is the answer for us.

 

why even post this? derrrrrrrr tyronn lue has played with tracy mcgrady in both orlando and houston and houston needs a point guard. let me write an article about how houston is the dark horse to land him!

 

The only way we make a move this month is by another team taking on expiring contracts... C'mon Memphis!!! You owe us one!

 

Man, how come everytime i read a trade possibilty involning tha rockets, these writers always have us gettin tha bad end of tha deal