I whole-heartedly disagree with the OP Depth is great and Landry can be an asset for years to come while Artest might just be a rental. Keep Landry
Artest adds scoring potential to the 3, and him and battier as a rotating backup? Hell that is total HELL for big names like Kobe Bryant etc. You have probably 2 of the best defenders in NBA on your ass every minute you're playing. I see the rockets defense and offense improving even more. Well not to mention barry's reliable 3s.
We sign Landry because we don't have anything better to do with those $2-3 million. However, we will be giving Shane some PF minutes, so somebody needs to go. Shane? Scola? Landry? I say, trade battier, or 2 of Scola, Landry (on 12/15), Hayes for help at 1) PG, 2) C, and/or 3) SG (if Shane goes).
Shane will come of the bench to back up Artest and Tmac, he does not need to play PF. The Landry saga will play out most of the summer as we don't know how much money he is looking for and we are not hearing about the offers on the table that he has received.
The artest trade means the following: 1) Landry's body is no longer needed on this roster. Although that's not to say it would be good to have him as a backup/insurance. 2) Because of 1), Landry's agent has now effectively zero leverage with the rockets. Thus, it is likely that Landry will take the qualifying offer. 3) However, because of his balky knee, Landry may still be inclined to go for a longer contract as added insurance. So I think he may now be willing to accept a 2-3 year deal starting at 2-3MIL. Knowing this, I think one creative way of benefiting both the rockets and the club who wants him (as his agent claims there are many to be) are striking an uneven trade, something like a 1st round pick in exchange for a future conditional second rounder, in exchange for the rockets' promise to not match Landry's offer.
This post might have some credibility now, if "a big chunk of [Artest's] minutes figure to come at the 4.": http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=artestdeal-080730
We should keep Landry, if he is willing to sign something like a 3-year contract for 8-10 mio. total, ideally with a 4th year team option. The Artest trade improves our (Morey's) bargaining position further, though.
Aren't we in luxary tax land by adding Artest? If so, there is no chance we sign Landry with MLE money.
Hmm, that's good news. I thought we were close to LT land last season and now we add Artest's 7 mil only only drop Bobby's 3/4 mil.
