I don't know, maybe I overestimate how hard it would be to deal him after giving him an extension. I read somewhere that GMs around the league were saying that Houston was about the only situation that really made sense for Artest because of his relationship with Adelman. If it doesn't work out here, I'm not convinced it will be easy to unload a lengthy contract.
After some thoughts, I think giving Ron a contract is not a problem and if he cause any trouble, trading him is also not so much of a problem. The real problem is if he get himself suspended for long duration, then we will not get his contributions and we still have to pay him.
I think it all depends on the length of the contract. I'd say 2 years, with an eye at the 2010 offseason. If Artest implodes, we ship him off by giving some team a bunch of picks to save cap space. If T-Mac's health really deteriorates, then that still leaves us enough money to go for a top FA that season with only Artest, Yao, and Battier under contract.
Tru Warier wants respect from the Rockets. Tru Warier respect those who respects him. Tru Warier does not want to play for a team that does not respect him. Tru Warier does not want to play with players that does not respect him. Tru Warier loves coach Adelman. Tru Warier will do whatever coach Adelman tells him to do. Tru Warier wants respect now through contract extension. Tru Warier does not want the contract extension for money. Tru Warier hopes everything will work out.
He will want the max, both in yearly salary and contract length. I wonder what sort of provisions his contract will have concerning suspensions and bans.
I agree, guys that think we can sign Artest for 40M are way off. Look at the contracts being signed Deng for 80M, Magette for 50, Okafur for 72. Artest knows he's been undervalued and wants equity in this contract. I question if Les will want to pay 3 guys max contracts, Artest is a one year rental, I hope we can win it all this year.
not a problem....suspended players doesnt get pay if you havent notice that, but yes it will still count toward our salary cap
It's a catch 22 at this moment. You sign him right now at a good price, but if his antics mess up the chemistry, it will cost you a lot to get rid of him. Remember Scottie Pippen! Pippen translated into Kelvin Cato and Walt Williams - because everybody knew we were selling. Morey isn't going to get pushed around. People need to look no further than Carl Landry. One of the most appealing things about this trade is that Artest is only under contract for 1 year; in which case if his antics become too big of a distraction - you just let him walk as a free agent. If his talent builds onto the current team production, then you sign him to a long term deal. The Rockets want to be big players in 2010. But if they turn this team into a championship team, then all of the other teams should be chasing the Rockets up until 2010 (the core should still be elite by then), hence no need to become big players of the 2010 free agent class. Yao - turn 28 yrs. old in September, McGrady - is 29 years old; Artest - turns 29 yrs. in November; Battier - turns 30 yrs. in September. This is not a young core anymore people. It is a veteran group. If Artest works out well in a test run at the begining of the season, the best bet might be to offer him his much desired long term contract. But again, it is a catch 22!! This move has a ton of potential.
This is what you do... You tell Artest that they want him in the future but fear that if Yao/McGrady get hurt again soon they will be forced to blow up the roster. And they wouldn't want to have him playing for a rebuilding team. So you extend him 1 extra year at the maximum value possible, well over his actual value. This will appease him, be a good gesture, and give us a large expiring contract if things don't panout with Ron. Then, if he has been good for 2 years, give him a 4-5yr deal at market value.
I agree that his comments are alarming. But then again, he might think differently by now already. After all, he did say that the opportunity to play with Yao and Tracy 'wipes everything out' and that was just a day ago. Regardless, there are a few things we could do with his new contract. For one, I am opposed to extending him now. If possible extend him after the trade deadline or, if everything's going well, shortly before. That would indicate that the Rockets have no intentions of getting rid of him because it is obviously easier to trade and expiring contract than a long one. For now, after the trade has gone down, you assure him that he will get rewarded if he and the Rockets are doing well. Secondly, we could try to front load his contract. I he wears out his welcome over time, he would be easier to move. I am not sure how players take this but I believe the total amount is more important than the distribution over the years. This may be risky however. Artest may take this as a sign of distrust. Lastly, and this could really backfire, offer him a largely incentive based contract. A partially guaranteed contract. Offer him about 8-9 million per year guaranteed and the possibility to get another 3-4 depending on whether the conditions are met. Say, if the Rockets win ~60 games, get to the WCF/out of the first round and he plays at least 70 games, 30min/per, give him the max possible, which would be around 13 million dollars. Or do what Ziggy proposes, seems like not a bad idea.
