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ESPN wrote:After seeing Elton Brand and Baron Davis unexpectedly put themselves on the free-agent market, Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest is second-guessing himself for not doing the same.

Artest told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he wishes now he had opted for unrestricted free agency, like Brand and Davis, instead of electing to play out the final year of his contract with the Kings next season at $7.4 million.

Artest also conceded that his long-term future is likely not in Sacramento, saying via e-mail: "I don't see myself with [the] Kings beyond 2008-09.

"I think I made the biggest mistake by staying in my contract and I have to live with it," Artest said. "I had some misleading information [in making the] decision on not opting out. [But] I still thank G-d for all his blessings and being able to play basketball and help people."

Artest let his opportunity to become a free agent pass Monday as he had been vowing to do for weeks. The 28-year-old preferred to put off free agency until next summer, figuring that he'd likely only generate contract offers this summer starting at the mid-level exception -- which was $5.4 million last season -- and believing that a big 2008-09 season would increase his chances of securing a long-term deal from either the Kings or someone else.

Before announcing his decision, Artest said last week: "Even if I was to opt out, which probably won't happen, I will never accept a mid-level exception. So people trying to figure out possibilities should get that out of their heads."....

Rox_Nix_Nox wrote:If you guys had to trade artest who are you guys as fans looking at?

In an e-mail to ESPN.com, Ron Artest said he regrets not opting out of his contract by the June 30 deadline.
The backstory here involves a meeting the small forward had this morning with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and Artest's agent, Mark Stevens. It appears that Artest was under the impression that there was a high likelihood the Kings would discuss his eventual signing to a long-term extension. But after numerous sources have said for months that such a move was highly unlikely, Artest and Stevens had continued to talk as if it was a strong possibility.
Petrie said in a phone interview minutes ago that he had a "candid" conversation with Artest but that "he wasn't too inclined to (say) much further than that."
Stevens, who was unaware of Artest's comments, said "I'm not even near a TV, so I can't even respond to something I haven't seen....Whatever his reasons for feeling that way is, well we'll just see. I'm not going to respond to it." - Sam Amick

mitchweber wrote:I seriously doubt that they really promised anything, knowing they would step back from it. Geoff has more integrity than that.

KM44 wrote:I AM SICK OF RON ARTEST! I have talked about this for months and weeks and now, just look! Before, when I complained about artest, I did not have evidence. Well, I do not think at all that Artest's "talent" is worth the headache that he creates. He is overrated to start with and I am just sick of all of this crap. We should sign and trade him for picks and expirings and just move on. We spent money on Beno and now we need to do something to make a new name for ourselves. I am sick of this, I am officially starting the get rid of ron bandwagon. Join it if you please, but I hope that he leaves, soon.

Bac2Basics wrote:I'm betting if they weren't already planning on putting him on the training block, they will now.

KingInExile wrote:

Bac2Basics wrote:I'm betting if they weren't already planning on putting him on the training block, they will now.

What makes you think he wasn't on the block to begin with? I think there's a chance he gets dealt before the start of the season and an even better chance before the trade deadline.