Fixed. The point of this topic is if you would have Artest on your line-up for free. I think its quite obvious this is not a realistic trade discussion....
But lets not be silly, he is going to play great for the Lakers, and they will laugh at this thread, while we are stuck in mediocrity.
Artest is unpredictable. He could either lead the Lakers (well, help the Lakers at least) to get another NBA title, or he could be the reason for the Lakers' downfall. I'm crossing my fingers for downfall.
His role was to be 3rd fiddle before the season started. Then it went to 2nd about halfway into the season. And he finished having to try and be the man. Ron was never supposed to be option 1 or even 2 for that matter. All things considered he did a fantastic job. We won 53 games, we won a playoff series for the first time in 12 years. We pushed the eventual champs to the max. He protected Yao and made sure nobody messed with him. He brought legit toughness and it rubbed off on his teammates. He made Tracy Mcgrady look softer than Hostess playing through several nagging injuries and not complaining at all. He even etched "Houston" and "R" in his dome piece. I think he played a fantastic "role". I'll miss Ron.
That's the only thing I disagree with you about. Tracy McGrady went through two or three surgeries (proving that his injuries were pretty severe) while Artest only had to play through an ankle injury. Other than that, I agree that Artest really brought some legitimate toughness and leadership to this team that Yao and McGrady could not muster.
To clarify: You still gotta match salary... so I am thinking along the line of giving up nothing but Cook and Barry's expiring contracts. In that case, at least for this season, there is no difference regarding salary and tax.
I voted NO. I think it's time to let some of the younger guys play to hopefully develop for next year and or use for trade bait. Last year was def worth the shot we took on him. This team as is this year is not built for a finals run. No way I want him on the team for five more years. Imo I think it wont take to long for the Lakers to get sick of the antics.
If we're speaking free, then absolutely. If we're speaking minimum (to be semi-realistic) as Durvasa suggested...then absolutely. Anything more than that...absolutely not. It's time to move on and Ron Ron coming back is the wrong way to go...
Poll: Would you take Josh Smith for Free? Yes or No This has about as much of a chance of happening as RonRon ever coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For Free or WurldBFree or any other kinda of Way Here's a new one Poll: Would you lick a monkey's a$$ for Free? Yes or No
You had me; till the "Go Ducks" sig. JK Great Post! Although we have no need for him now (with a questionable T-Mac and non-existant Yao). Let's not be the 'Stros. Artest was a huge signing and I think he was the missing link last year, but who knew we would lose T-Mac, Yao and Deke?
Definitely, You are talking about getting a player, who can still play for scrubs. Any manager should pounce on that even if He comes with some attitude problems. He can be an asset or the team could just have him sit at the end of the bench. He showed some flashes of greatness last year so the the team knows what they are getting basketball wise. Very low risk, good gamble.
