In the thread "Does Houston have a problem" everybody is commenting on Yao's words. The big picture is, Artest's first words were about money, and he refused to repeat himself. This is already our first red flag from Ron, and August 14 is more than enough time for Ron to do or say something really stupid.
I really don't like what he said in that other thread either. I say we let him know he'll get an extension if he performs to expectation without goin crazy. Or promise him an extension and let him go at the end of the year, I'm still looking forward to the 2010 overhaul.
This tells me more than "he's all about the $$$" He's looking for job security. He's looking for a home. He genuinely likes playing for Coach Adelman. He likes where the Rockets are as a team. He sees longevity in a career as a Rocket
I am neutral on this whole trade from a risk perspective. I think the risks are even so trading is a good move. The BONUS is we have so long to let him **** it up before it is a done deal.
To ask for an extension from Ron is as expected. He talked about long term plan with the Kings all the time, when he found out he is not in their long term plan, he wanted out. It would be wishful thinking to hope to get him in S&T without giving him any insurance.
If I were Daryl Morey, I extend Ron's contract right now. First, he is feeling good about the trade, and I think would be willing to take a reasonable salary. I think, for example, $10 million a year for the next 4 years would be a great deal for the team and would also be something that Ron would find acceptable. Ron has played at an ELITE level for several seasons, and, frankly, would be a max level player if not for his problems. He is also still young and can be expected to keep up the performance.
You'd give Ron Artest a 40 million dollar contract without even seeing him play as a Rocket? I can't see Daryl Morey doing that without some assurances that Artest can be a success on this team. If there was a way for the Rockets to just guarantee a contract on the condition that we get past the first round, then I'd go for that. But otherwise Artest is too much of a risk to go all in at this stage. The beauty of this deal, in my opinion, is that it's only for 1 year and it gives us the flexibility to move him for something better if it doesn't work out.
YES. If he doesn't work out, trade him. Losing him for nothing on the FA market is about the worst way to go about it. If I'm DM, I didn't just give up 2 1st round picks for a one year rental. At least if you re-sign him, you can trade him at a later point for some valuable players/picks.
Exactly ,i can't agree more,man.Ron deserves the max level contract but he accepts half .there is no better thing than using a superstar but only paying him 10m per year.
Exactly. Pay this man. He is looking for a home and to secure his legacy. We all knew he was going to speak his mind and have everything he says exaggerated and misinterpreted by the media but he shows up to play every single night (that he isn't in jail or suspended). So pay him!
But what if we do have success? Look at what happened to James Posey's going price. Imagine what would happened to the going price of a much better player like Artest? I would bet on the Rockets having success more than the alternative. Yes, I would give Artest $40 million because, frankly, Artest is probably worth a good deal more than that. If Ron is willing to take less, great. But when you can lock up someone who is probably a top 20 players in the whole league for $10 million, that is well worth it.
I really doubt it -- there's always a need for talent. I'd rather trade a troubled, talented stud then let him walk for nothing -- we have nothing to gain by letting him walk.
I think some kind of decent contract need to be considered to encourage Ron to have faith and committed to play hard for Rockets. I find it difficult to envisage Ron playing hard without throwing tantrums if he is not given any insurance due to personality. However, saying that, there are not many takers if we wanted to trade him if he does not fit in well (again due to his personality). That's always risk involved when dealing with him.
He's a top 20 talent, arguably. As a complete player, other factors have to come into play like dependability, durability, and tendency to act like a psychopath. Artest is just too unstable to grant him a long contract just like that.
It isn't like he is an unknown nobody. Everybody knows who Ron Artest is and what he brings. If paying him what he's worth is what it takes to keep him happy then do it. If it blows up there are a ton of other teams out there who would be more than happy to take their own shot at him via trade.
Morey knows what he is doing. He convinces everything to do anything he wants. He will get Artest what he wants...I believe.
