I wasn't sure on the Bird Rights, and after I posted that he'd probably take the MLE, I started to second guess myself. By next year it'll probably be right at or over 6 million to start, and with 8% raises it would end up being 5 years, 35 million. Seems reasonable for a guy that would be 30-34 during that period...but I often forget just how much damn money stupid teams will throw at these guys. You're right. He probably wouldn't take the MLE, but I think he'd take a 5 year, 50 million extension, which we could give him if his Bird Rights transfer.
Morey needs to make this happen before another contender like the lakers picks him up. He can definitely be that consistent 3rd scorer for us behind tmac n yao. We should give up battier n whoever else to make this happen preferrably luther or brooks. This will easily make us one of the favorites to win the west or even the title.
Battier Brooks Jackson Hayes for Artest Thomas C: Yao/Deke/Thomas PF: Scola/Landry/Dorsey SF: Artest/Greene/Novak SG: Tmac/Barry/Head PG: Alston/Francis/(filler)
Ron Ron is going to do whatever is necessary to force a trade. This could get interesting. But the more he flips out, the less attractive he becomes to other teams.
split personality. one personality wants to play for a contender for less money. the other says he get can get $13 million next year in free agency. artest just fired his personality who wanted $13 million... Morey Bom Ba Ye!!!
Why not? You can argue that losing Battier for nothing in the (almost certain) even that Artest self destructs and you would be right. You can argue that there is greater than a 75% that he screws us eventually like he has every other team he has been a part of, and again, you would be right. But what the hell do we have to lose? Some quixotic dream of signing Wade or Lebron in 2010? We haven't won a playoff series in over a decade. Screw pragmatism. We have 2 years left. We're not getting Wade or Lebron. Everyone else in that class doesn't equal McGrady/Artest/28 year old Yao. Go for it. We're not winning a title without a significant acquisition, and I'm not holding my breath on getting anything significant for Bobby Jackson's contract. Get Artest. Battier/Brooks/Greene and a first should be enough to get it done.
In principle, you are probably right. But the Battier/Portland rumors would indicate that he isn't as enamored with Battier as previously believed. Daryl Morey is a smart man. It's a high risk, but a potentially huge reward.
I would trade Battier but NOT for Artest...... I just don't think he fits in on a team with TMac and Yao.....when I watch Artest, I do not seem him moving without the ball, I see him scoring most of his points off the bounce and beating his man one on one.... I would prefer Outlaw or Childress if we are going to trade Battier, not to mention that Artest only has one year left on his contract. Artest is a prima donna knucklehead....a chemistry destroyer.....I would take a lessor talented player who fits in and hustles over him. DD
That can be worked out with a contract extension agreed on before the trade, eg when McGrady was traded for.
DD- I like those other 2, but Artest is a game changer. I see him beasting Battier so bad, they had to bring in hayes. As long as he forces alterations in other teams, he's making a huge impact. How do u guard tracy,yao, and ron? You can't. He can create, he plays as hard as anyone and he's tougher than anyone on the rox. He defends his teammates and everyone has said he's a great teammate. If tracy or yao is hobbled, u have a #1 option type player. I like Battier, but he's better served playing 20 mins coming off the bench. I know this, if he goes to La, the Rox will not win a title for at least 4 yrs or longer.
if the rumors are true it's the second time he'd considered trading battier. allegedly the year before it was he didn't think battier had enough offense but outlaw was too unproven...
or, conversely, he destroys LA's chemistry and losing Odom hurts them more than Artest helps them. Why do people like Artest so much? Which team has he lead to anything, EVER? The guy plays hard, but he is a ball stopper, he does NOT move without the ball and he does not play off of it either, he needs the ball to be effective, he does not fit with TMac......as a primary handler.... Artest is a bull in a china shop, but to me, he is just not worth it. I would be happy to trade Battier for the right complimentary piece, but not for Artest.....not today, not ever. DD
extension or not, artest is a huge risk to take on for obvious reasons. but considering our yao-mcgrady window has 2 years max left, it may be worth a gamble. if we're able to trade battier, brooks and bjax (plus other fillers or a pick if need be) for artest and k. thomas, i think it's a good deal for us. not sure if sacto is willing to do the deal, though. i think it is just a matter of time sacto deals out artest. it just depends on what other teams can offer and what the kings think about these other offers. possible that if, by the end of a certain period, sacto still doesn't see a good enough offer, they may deal with us.
I just can't for the life of me figure out why people want to take massive risks when you have a team that, if healthy, probably finishes number ONE in the entire Western Conference this past year. Just give them time, and tweak......they can get it done with the current roster and more development from Brooks and Landry. DD
Yea, because we are just overloaded with guys on this roster that need the ball to score. It was so damn frustrating watching guys creating their own shots off the dribble these past two playoff series' while T-Mac watched, completely out of the offense. Way too many scorers on this team.
SAR is just as much a bust as KT is. Swapping those two might make it a little more palatable. At worst SAR is a third option C or if the Rocks get lucky he qualifies for a medical retirement. Battier + Jackson + Brooks for Artest (extended) + SAR
