Artest may opt out- money not as important as championship

Post #1 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:39 pm

per wiretap. not that I am 100% for Artest, but this could be the opportunity that many Lakers fans are waiting for.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/50404/20080120/artest_plans_to_opt_out_after_season/

iamworthy · Post #2 » by **iamworthy** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:47 pm

snaquille oatmeal wrote:per wiretap. not that I am 100% for Artest, but this could be the opportunity that many Lakers fans are waiting for.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/50404/20080120/artest_plans_to_opt_out_after_season/

One Love · Post #3 » by **One Love** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:49 pm

Great minds think alike... Looks like we were making our posts at the same time...

Post #4 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:51 pm

yeah, but you took to long, mine posted about 5 minutes before yours :lol:

Tommy Trojan · Post #5 » by **Tommy Trojan** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:56 pm

snaquille oatmeal wrote:yeah, but you took to long, mine posted about 5 minutes before yours

But with all honesty I would love to pick up Artest.

We can offer something like Like, Critt, and a draft or something. I even will throw in Sasha to make the deal even sweater.

Craig McDermott · Post #6 » by **Craig McDermott** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:57 pm

He's gonna opt out because his trade value is so low that he's stuck in Sacramento. Untenable position. I don't blame him.

Post #7 » by **tkb** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:21 pm

I've always wanted Artest here. Hopefully we can get it done eventually.

Showtime:Part2 · Post #8 » by **Showtime:Part2** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:36 pm

he'd be perfect. if phil kept rodman in line, he can control artest.... i hope.

Taiwan Killa · Post #9 » by **Taiwan Killa** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:46 pm

Artest would be perfect next to Odom and Kobe because he makes up for Odom's lack of strength and size and he let's Kobe relax on defense.

Fisher/Farmar/Crittenton
Bryant/Ariza
Artest/Walton
Odom/Turiaf/Radmonovic
Bynum/Brown/Mihm

Although that's 5 SFs but if Ariza gets a shot it could work out well.

RJM · Post #10 » by **RJM** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:48 pm

PG - Fisher/Farmar/Crittenton
SG - Bryant/Vujacic/Karl
SF - Artest/Walton/Ariza
PF - Odom/Radmanovic/Simien
C - Bynum/Turiaf/Gasol

NBA Champions. We'd be so deep and talented. Not sure if Simien will even be brought in knowing the fact that Mitch doesn't read these boards.

Taiwan Killa · Post #11 » by **Taiwan Killa** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:55 pm

Iceburg Slim wrote:PG - Fisher/Farmar/Crittenton
SG - Bryant/Vujacic/Karl
SF - Artest/Walton/Ariza
PF - Odom/Radmanovic/Simien
C - Bynum/Turiaf/Gasol

NBA Champions. We'd be so deep and talented. Not sure if Simien will even be brought in knowing the fact that Mitch doesn't read these boards.

Ariza should get time ahead of Walton and Vujacic.

RJM · Post #12 » by **RJM** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:59 pm

I agree...which is why I first put Ariza at backup SG...before my guilt told me to leave Karl on the team.

Laker1 · Post #13 » by **Laker1** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:12 pm

Wow we'd be the best defensive/offensive team in the league! We'd have 4 top notch perimiter defenders Fisher/Bryant/Artest/Ariza and a defensive anchor in Bynum who will be another year better. So basically we'd be a great defensively from 1,2,3,5 (no great defense comming from the 4).

If Artest doesnt come here hed be more of an idiot!.

CITYOFANGELSX3 · Post #14 » by **CITYOFANGELSX3** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:51 pm

Plus we'd have our draft pick and likely sun yue or marc gasol on top of that team. Just gotta resign ronny and Ariza this offseason.

slifersd · Post #15 » by **slifersd** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:09 pm

If Artest is willing to sign for MLE, wouldn't he want to sign with Miami? I mean, it is a known fact that he would like to play for Miami or New York. And with him there and a high draft pick, Miami would have a very good shot at the championship next year.

Post #16 » by **LLcoleJ** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:15 pm

slifersd wrote:If Artest is willing to sign for MLE, wouldn't he want to sign with Miami? I mean, it is a known fact that he would like to play for Miami or New York. And with him there and a high draft pick, Miami would have a very good shot at the championship next year.

Its also a known fact that he has mentioned the Lakers as a team he would like to play for.
Before he was traded to the Kings he was so excited about the possibility of going to the Lakers he bought a home here. ( and that is what he said)

So, if we can match the MLE we give him a better chance at a ring then both MIA and New York combined.

J Rob · Post #17 » by **J Rob** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:28 pm

I'm all for getting Artest at this point too.

But seriously, take this quote as a grain of salt.

Every month Artest says some outlandish thing that he thinks sounds good at the time.

He goes back and forth on everything:
-Being the go-to guy vs. being a role player
-Hoping to play somewhere else vs. retiring a King
-Being a rapper vs. being an all-star basketball player
-Leaving a winner in Indiana vs. now wanting to play for a championship over money

Like I said, I'm all for getting him but this quote really means nothing to me.

Post #18 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:28 pm

I should have posted this link as well on the opening post. although the link to is in the wiretap page.

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/648351.html

Artest is earning $7.4 million this season and would earn the same salary next season if he didn't opt out.

"Winning is more important," he said. "I'm not thinking about money in my situation. I'm just thinking about winning. I need a ring, or I'll be sick. Whatever I get, I'll get.

"I'll give my dogs and my kids the money, and I don't have to spend nothing. I don't need nothing. If I have my ring, I'll be OK. I can live in the streets hungry."

wow! I would really be surprised if he is not a laker next year.

J Rob · Post #19 » by **J Rob** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:44 pm

A lineup of...
Fisher/Farmar
Bryant
Artest
Odom
Bynum

would be pretty sweet.

Strong defensive team and a solid offensive punch.

TommyTheCat · Post #20 » by **TommyTheCat** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:50 pm

thanks for posting the read.

i've never been a big fan of artest due to all the baggage that comes with him but if he could be had for cheap...........mle or even a good s&t to keep him around his current salary, i think it would be worth the risk. i think if he could play in the system and keep out of trouble off the court, he would put the lakers over the top.