Yes, I said it when Ron still wore queens uniform a few years ago.. Only failed contenders will do the gamble to take Ron. others will not take the risk. That's why at that time I said Rockets should go for ron and would get him at cheap. Now I think Cav, Magic and lakers might be interest in him. But lakers probably don't have the cap and resources to get him. Ron just like Denis Rodman in this era, though not as good as Denis. He can make a contender to become dominate.
Artest strikes me as the type that would value loyalty and respect as much as money. Given that Adelman and the Rockets basically transformed him from "damaged goods" into a player capable of leading a winning effort I definitely get the vibe he recognizes and appreciates that fact. Couple that with what most have already said about only contenders being the likely suitors for his services, I think there's a very strong chance he'll resign. As for a backup plan? I'm not quite sure really. Clearly, you can't just let him walk because he's an UFA so you would hope a S&T could be negotiated if we elect to go down that road. Maybe a team like Atlanta looking to get tougher might consider a S&T for Marvin Williams? I'm just throwing that out there but that's an example of the type of deal I would hope for if retaining him is out of the question.
