Why would Sac trade for just expiring contracts when Artest is going to walk anyway? They might get a low first rounder, but how much will this help them?
For the playoffs. They immediately get the best defender in the NBA. Bruce Bowen is a great defender. Like Battier, he's one of the best defenders in the league. But Ron Artest is on another level. Remember how he completely shut down Manu last season? And how he handled McGrady in the last game? If the Spurs get Artest, they have someone who Kobe, Nash (yes, Artest can guard Nash. He can go from guarding Nash to a 7 footer like Nowitzki That's what seperates him from Bowen/Battier). Artest is one of the best 2-way players in the game, and even if he walks away - at least the Spurs keep their 4th Championship. Because the chemistry in San Antonio is strong. They've had headcases before, from Derek Anderson to Van Excel. And Artest can play. Ron Artest is a Top 3 Small-forward in the NBA when his head is on right.
Picks, Udoka, Finley + Horry. Is it time for them to wager their old men for younger talent? Is it worth risking Udoka for a player that may bolt? How badly do they want that elusive back 2 back. If the can sub Udoka with Vaughn they are golden.
SA gave away their first in '09 for Thomas. Perhaps they did it because they are out of the running for Artest.
If they could trade away another future 1st rounder Artest would make a pretty good replacement at the 2/3 for Barry
For expiring contracts, and a draft pick. Artest is a top 3 Small-forward, but he's still a headcase. Not exactly a piece you want to keep around during a rebuilding process.
Don't know how reliable it is, but there are rumors of Artest to the Suns for Atl's pick and the TE. Of course, Artest to any non-Rockets WC playoff team is bad news for us.
Likely another team trying to throw a spanner in Artest being traded or Kings trying to ramp up Artest's value. Sarver doesn't like luxury tax. When the Suns traded for Shaq they actually reduced their team salary by 300k.
Not no more, might as well lock this tread up. The pieces they were sending to Kings for artest just went to seattle. Looks like Pop wanted more help on the frontline to deal with size in the WC.
The way things are going the league is going to have 4-6 loaded teams that all win 70 games a year while the rest of the squads battle to see who gets to get demolished by one of these juggernauts in the playoffs.
