If Artest makes noise early in the season about wanting a commitment from the Rockets, how should we handle it? Do we give him an extension to try to pacify him and quell any unnecessary drama, or do we postpone until after the season and hope he uses this contract year as motivation to play hard and be on his best behavior?
For some reason with Artest I get the feeling that the extension is as much about respect as it is about money, especially since my impression is that he felt slighted by the way Sacramento dealt with him. Could be interesting watching this develop. I'm guessing that Artest responds well to positive reinforcement and respect. There's a reason he likes Adelman so much. Give him an extension and get him fired up about playing in Houston, in a good way.
According to the money demands we should definitely consider extending him already. I think we should show our commitment to him to see a commitment from him. I know it's a risk consider his attitude, but I'm willing to take this risk.
Realistically who can the Rockets pick up that's an upgrade to Artest? The only thing that can blow this thing up is if Artest melts down. Barring that Artest is the last, best hope for the Rockets to get a ring before T-Mac and Yao get shipped out to the glue factory.
Mid-season has the lowest risk IMO. Too early, Ron Artest flames out. Too late, Ron Artest could possibly feel disrespected by the FO.
I don't think we can afford to extend him now. Wait until the season is over. Artest knows damn well if he plays well and is well-behaved in Houston, he will get his contract next season. If he doesn't give us the results we are looking for, we can't extend him. We could use that money on a PG. His expiring contract will come in key in that situation. If we extend him mid-season, there's no guarantee he won't flame out then. If we extend him now, there's no guarantee he gives it his all. He says he's all good, and I hope he is, but he better not be looking for the money upfront for real. If he brings the drama, we can get rid of him (suspend him if it's mid-season), and use that money for something else. We still have Brent Barry + our old team (which was pretty good).
I feel that respect means just as much as the money too,but I don't think he should get an immediate extension. It's got to be a two way street.
i'm concerned because maybe he's the second coming of Pippen. Pippen was a top 5 two-way player. He completed our big 3. Pippen just didn't fit, and we had to have a firesale. There is that chance that he just won't fit.
We can't trade him and expect anything better in return. For how much he's payed and what he can do, he is the best bargain. Of course factor in his wackiness and his value goes down a bit, but there's no way we can trade a player with his salary and talent for a better one. Extend the guy.
What I posted in similar thread... 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.
