Dont count out Artest yet! http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3469895 Artest says it was a 'mistake' not to opt out of deal with Kings After seeing Elton Brand and Baron Davis unexpectedly put themselves on the free-agent market, Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest is second-guessing himself for not doing the same. Artest told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he wishes now he had opted for unrestricted free agency, like Brand and Davis, instead of electing to play out the final year of his contract with the Kings next season at $7.4 million. Artest also conceded that his long-term future is likely not in Sacramento, saying via e-mail: "I don't see myself with [the] Kings beyond 2008-09." "I think I made the biggest mistake by staying in my contract and I have to live with it," Artest said. "I had some misleading information [in making the] decision on not opting out. [But] I still thank God for all his blessings and being able to play basketball and help people." Artest let his opportunity to become a free agent pass Monday as he had been vowing to do for weeks. But he apparently did so believing that the Kings would considering signing him to an extension this summer, even though there have been no clear indications from Kings management that it was prepared to make that offer. The 28-year-old was also apparently convinced that he'd likely only generate contract offers this summer starting at the mid-level exception, which was $5.4 million last season. So putting off free agency until next summer, Artest reasoned, would increase his chances of securing a long-term deal from either the Kings or someone else if he could produce a big 2008-09 season. Before announcing his decision, Artest said last week: "Even if I was to opt out, which probably won't happen, I will never accept a mid-level exception. So people trying to figure out possibilities should get that out of their heads." But by declining to walk away from the final year of his current contract -- and thus surrendering the right to choose a new team -- Artest might actually have increased the likelihood that he winds up playing elsewhere between now and next February's trading deadline. At what amounts to an expiring contract valued at less than $8 million, Artest has a very tradeable salary in spite of any concerns about his controversial past. The Kings seriously explored the market for Artest at the February trading deadline, most notably in talks with the Denver Nuggets. The Los Angeles Lakers have been widely expected to revisit past trade interest in Artest, given Artest's friendship with Lakers star Kobe Bryant and after L.A.'s toughness and defense were subjected to heavily criticism during the NBA Finals. It's also presumed that Lakers coach Phil Jackson would be an ideal boss for the mercurial swingman, but trades between teams from the same division -- especially teams that have the contentious history that the Lakers and Kings share -- are always complicated. The Kings far exceeded most preseason forecasts by posting a 38-44 record under rookie coach Reggie Theus. Artest had one his best statistical seasons -- averaging 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 57 games -- and has claimed often that the Kings would have been right there with the eight 50-win teams in the West if not for the injuries suffered by leading scorer Kevin Martin and ex-Kings guard Mike Bibby as well as the 25 games Artest lost to injury and suspension. Artest missed the first seven games of the season serving a seven-game league ban after a no-contest plea to infliction of injury on his wife. That was the latest transgression in a career full of missteps -- a list that most notably includes Artest's suspension for the remainder of the season for his role in the infamous Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers brawl in November 2004 -- but Artest has been actively working to address doubts about his reliability. He is heavily involved with the NBA Players Association's humanitarian efforts in Africa and elsewhere abroad, signed on this season as a spokesman for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and has volunteered in recent weeks to do television work for the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs, who are likewise operated by Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. Artest also unsuccessfully reached out to USA Basketball officials earlier this month in a bid to convince them to consider him as an 11th-hour candidate for this summer's China-bound Olympic team. "My basketball skill and my character and community work speaks for itself," Artest said. "I believe in them and believe it can work for an organization. Sac will have to trade him now or loose him next year for nothing.
I can't understand how these guys make these decisions so casually. We are talking millions or tens of millions of dollars and Artest acts like his decision to stay in Sacramento was made somewhere between choosing what sneakers he was going to where that day and what cereal he was having for breakfast.
Ignore the last comment. I know Sac would of lost him without compensation even if he hadnt said this. Anyway its obvious that Artest doesnt want to stay in Sac so the obvious thing to do would be to trade him now so they can get something in return for him. Now would be a good time to give them a call. Acording to Feigan, Morey is still looking to make a move to improve the team. http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2008/07/free_agent_frenzy_hardly_but_f.html "If they land Barry this time and keep Landry, that's a deep, solid roster. Then they can make that trade to improve the team, the sort of move that Morey has called the key to the plan." Hopefully things are falling into place for Artest to join us. Dont give up hope.
Man if we can get Artest to agree to an extension and get him for Brooks, BJac, Head and our 1st & 2nd rd picks that would be great. But I don't see that happening unless the Kings are that high on Brooks and feel that they can get something good with those extra picks for next year.
It actually works in the rox favor if they work it right. Call the Kings and ask permission to speak with Artest about a extension. I'm thinking 4yrs 52m. After that, ask them who they want. Since he only makes 7.2m, its really easy to get there. They could start with Battier to replace a defensive side of Artest. They probably would also brooks if they can't get beno resigned. The Rox might have to take back a contract like thomas and throw in Jackson, but I think Artest is worth it. U could also play hard ball with landry with thomas in the fold.
what? kobe knew what he wanted and he got it. do you think the lakers would have gasol if he didnt act like the way he did in the offseason?
I thought Artest was a pipe dream when he was opting out, but him choosing to remain at SACtown gives me a slither of hope. He is a perfect match for what we need. If it would take Battier, Brooks, and all 3 of our draft picks next year and a future 1st, I would do it. He is the scorer we need when T-Mac is sitting. He can play sg, sf, and pf. He is a great defensive player, a slasher, and has improved his outside game. If we are committed to the T-MAC/Yao win now philosophy then we need to go after Artest as hard as we can. Unlike most on this board, if SAC said it had to be Scola instead of Battier I would still do it. A combination at PF of Landry, Dorsey, and Artest depending on matchups would work just fine. Artest' flexibility and athleticism is what makes him so attractive to a team like us that has so many holes on our bench. I still think it is a long shot. Please Morey do your magic that you do.
Whats with Sac players messing up their contract decisions? First Bonzi and now Artest. The Maloofs are putting something in the Gatorade!
Kobe didn't know what he wanted as far as being a Laker in the offseason. He demanded a trade, retracted the demand, and then demanded. He would be a Bull right now had Chicago offered Deng in the trade package. On topic, Ron Artest is going off the charts with his 200 degrees of completion. He went a full 100 and back. Hopefully, this paves the way for a trade to Houston.
I would throw Scola in if needed also. I would hate it but I would do it. Artest is only 28 years old. A Brooks, Scola and fillers (draft picks/expirings) package would leave us with a starting lineup of Yoa Artest TMac Battier Refer Thats a great defensive lineup as well as a triple threat on offense.
I don't think you could play Artest and Battier too often at the same time. Both Artest and Battier can play the 4 but ultimately they are both undersized. Artest is ideally a small forward, as is Battier, so if we acquired Artest and held on to Battier, I think Battier would no longer be a starter. For example, there is no way Artest and Yao should be covering frontcourts like Gasol/Bynum, Boozer/Okur or Brand/Kaman just to name a few. At the same time, you could play Artest and Battier together when the matchups are right.
Only if it's possible for the Kings to sign him to a contract extension before sending him to Houston then I'd like a deal. It'd have to be Battier for Artest based trade. No to including Scola, yes to Brooks.
Actually, Kobe was the one who vetoed that Bulls trade. He had a trade clause which allowed him to do that. Basically, he b****ed until he finally got his way. Then choked in the finals.
