I am not gonna post from another board - aka Suns board but here it is: Rumor is: - Ron Artest wants out - Steve Kerr thinks that what they lost with Marion would all be back with the acquistion of Artest - The Suns only have 12 players and need 1 more - They have a 8 Million Dollar trade exemption to use before the end of the year and that the Kings are shopping him around to get rid of his contact (edit) If the Suns get Ron-Ron along with Shaq then..ut oh.
The disturbing thing about this rumor is that it has legs to run on. The Suns actually have the money to pull this off.
No offense, but we've got plenty of our own trade ideas here that would technically work. But they aren't particularly news worthy or any more likely to happen. I'll start paying attention when an NBA beat reporter starts reporting said rumors.
The Kings may not want to take back salary, but they get nothing else if they receive back just the trade exception. They'd have to make a second deal that was lopsided in favor of the Kings (receiving a draft pick or something). Keep in mind Artest is likely to opt out of his deal this summer anyhow. Unless they don't want him at all and they're concerned he won't opt out, I'm not sure that helps them.
Artest has already told the Suns and the Media he's not staying. He's opting out. I will be really pissed off if the Suns get Artest.
I'm guessing the idea is to give the Kings the trade exception AND something else (like a draft pick or two), rather than the trade exception alone. Like you said, if it's the TE alone, there isn't much of a point to it since all they save is less than half a year's worth of Artest's salary. But, if I recall correctly, the Suns already gave away a couple first round picks to ship Kurt Thomas off and get the TE. I don't know if they have another pick in the near future they can trade (league rules say you have to have a pick at least one out of every 2 consecutive years). Maybe there is some young PHX player Kings would want back... but I can't really think of one off the top of my head right now.
My question is what good is a trade exception to a team honestly? In terms of getting under the cap for relief, then yes, it's fine and dandy. But I always thought there was an expiration date on an exception--if you don't use it within a certain amount of time, poof. And I honestly don't think Sacramento is in dire need of cap relief when they can just let Artest opt out and wait for Bibby's contract to expire. They are probably in the frame of mind to get draft picks or younger players.
Tru-Warrior says Kings better off without him http://www.slamdunkcentral.com/2008/02/07/tru-warrior-says-kings-better-off-without-him/
the suns would be a lock for the championship with artest. i'm not even sure marion is better then him plus you have shaq.
it can work out cap-wise, and if the suns throw in future picks then both teams should like this move. one thing though: shaq amare ron bell nash not a very fast team. not a team that can really spread the floor. only 3 guys can really hit the 3 (nash, bell, barbosa). ron is more mid range / post. hill isn't a shooter. amare and shaq will clog the paint. that team under JVG would win it all, but under a coach who wants to run n gun... i just don't see it.
