For those who are hoping artest would come here.

[lukeridenour]

Agent: Artest Likely To Stay

Kings small forward Ron Artest still could opt out of his contract by the June 30 deadline. But according to his agent, he is unlikely to do so considering it could mean taking a pay cut as a free agent.

"If he opts out, it's obvious we're looking at a midlevel exception deal (approximately $6 million per season)," Mark Stevens said. "Ron fully understands that if he opts out, he runs the risk of Sacramento saying, OK, opt out, you can leave, and we won't get nothing for you, or we can do a sign and trade.

"Or Ron runs the risk of knowing he's open to the free market and he might get midlevel exception. All the cards are definitely on the table."

Numerous teams over the salary cap are left with only the midlevel exception to offer. With Artest set to make $7.4 million in the final season of his contract, he continued to speak as if staying in Sacramento next season is likely.

"I'm not even thinking like I'm about to opt out or go somewhere else," he told The Bee on Friday. "I'm still here as a King.

"If I'm going to be here, I'd rather do what I'm doing now and stick with the game plan. Nothing (in terms of negotiations for a future contract) can happen until July 1 anyway. We'll definitely consider if the Kings come talking to us."

The prospect of taking a midlevel deal is far from Stevens' initial benchmark. He said in February he envisioned Artest as a player worth about $13 million per season.

Although Stevens said Artest is the team's best player and should be paid as such, he's unsure whether Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof will agree when the time for negotiating arrives.

Stevens said Artest remains loyal to the Kings for facilitating his career resurrection in Sacramento after being traded to the team in January 2006.

"That's why him opting out at this point is not even an option," Stevens said. "He wants to first go to the table and see if he can get a deal done. He would love to be in Sacramento."

Unless, of course, he changes his mind between now and the end of June.

"If he decides he can wait another year, then we wait another year," Stevens said. "If he decides he can't, then we have to express that and see if we can get something done and take it from there."


http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/990252.html

during the trade deadline i was absolutely hoping we wouldnt trade for artest, but in retrospect, he would have helped tremendously. my view on getting artest has changed because of this and i really wanted him here too but i realized that it would be nearly impossible. i guess when it comes down to it, its always about the money (not that i blame him).

[Ballings7]

Things have gone back and forth with him siding to opting in, or out, within the last handful of months. So things could change again.

Still not sure what he'll do. Either way, it's justified.

If he decides to opt in, there are numerous above-average options out there at SG/SF. Plus the draft.

[lukeridenour]

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2008/6...rces-say-artes

You can never predict what Ron Artest will say next. We all know this. That is probably why, despite two months of "I'm not opting out" talk, we aren't surprised when a report like this one from HOOPSWORLD hits the wire:

Multiple sources tell HOOPSWORLD that Ron Artest is seriously considering opting out of the final year of his contract. Artest can stick with the Sacramento Kings for one final year at $7.4 million or choose to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Should Artest choose to opt out, he would likely look for a full Mid Level Exception (MLE) deal with a championship contender such as the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs or even the New Orleans Hornets.

Good news? Bad news? It's somewhere in between, for sure. An opt-out doesn't grant Sacramento any magical cap space, with or without Beno. And while it shouldn't necessarily affect the draft in a major way, it certainly keeps Petrie's seat shifting.

Stay tuned. Thirteen more days, possibly 13 additional different reports.

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hoops isnt always the most reliable, but if true, it does mention our name there. i think out of the lakers and hornets, we have the best shot because we can give him the full mle and still not be in the luxry while both the lkaers and hornets are in the luxury. buss has always proven to be cheap and i see him slashing prices this offseason. the hornets are more realistic than the lakers, and artest might be more interested to play there then here.

[HarlemHeat37]

we would have already got Artest if we were willing to part with Splitter IMO, and look what ended up happening..not anybodies fault though, I think most people thought Splitter would be playing in a Spurs uniform next year..

this is our 2nd chance though..if Artest is willing to come here for the MLE, you sign him right away..nothing to think about..this guy allows us to play Bruce less minutes in the regular season, which is something we need..most important of all, he would give us a SOLID offensive option, WITHOUT losing ANYTHING on defense..we'd actually gain solid offense AND elite defense with this addition..

he would honestly be a perfect fit..not only that, but he'd be playing for Pop and Tim Duncan, who Artest considers to be in his top 3 favorite players in the NBA..

I really hope he doesn't go to LA..

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Ron Artest in the Spurs would be ideal.

[Blame Rasho]

It is hoopsworld... enough said... but then again... It is Ron Artest. He isn't all there and is kinda off.

[Ballings7]

Haha, told you guys (if true)

I can see him going to LA for obvious reasons if he did opt out, but, the difference is things aren't as clear for them in having the situation for him to come in.

We have a set spot for him on this team, and our interest in him was established. I think after the Lakers series, that would only be enhanced.

Lakers have Walton/Radmanovic/Ariza/Odom (at least part of his minutes if coming off the bench) to deal with at SF after they lose tonight. Lot of work to do there, especially with Walton and Radmanovic's contracts. I also think the Lakers may want more of a true role-player at SF, considering the offense they'll have. Then you have their financial situation.

Assuming he would opt out - I see no reason why we won't go after him, and in having a good chance to get him. Probably the best.

Would definitely suck if he went to the Lakers, that just makes their long-term situation greater.

Fisher/Farmar
Kobe
Artest
Gasol
Bynum

I'd prefer to not see that happen.

I don't know about New Orleans, maybe. While they could definitely use him, I don't think they'd be a factor unless we somehow wouldn't get him.

[Donald Kaufman]

It is hoopsworld... enough said... but then again... It is Ron Artest. He isn't all there and is kinda off.

I'm confident Pop could keep him in line.

I love Artest as a player, I think he's exactly what this team needs.

BUT

He's somewhat similar to Dennis Rodman in terms of personality, and we all now how The Worm's tenure in SA went.

[Ballings7]

I don't think Artest would be a problem. If anything, minor adjustments.

From following him closely, watching him consistently, aside from a couple things (incident with his wife and getting ejected in Utah earlier this year), he really has matured noticably as a person and player since his Indiana days. Also his wanting to win and competitive presence is great.

Popovich, and the seasoned, good guys on the team would only help more. He's never been on a team like the Spurs before.

[Donald Kaufman]

^^^ True. Good points.

[lukeridenour]

artest would secure our championship.

[Ballings7]

Ron says he's 99% sure he's still going to opt in, though: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... _contract/

[tuncaboylu]

If we wouldn't offer MLE for 5 years to him, it would be great mistake. Would he accept it? Who knows.

[Blame Rasho]

Ron says he's 99% sure he's still going to opt in, though: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... _contract/

Great reporting Hoopsworld

[Ballings7]

If we wouldn't offer MLE for 5 years to him, it would be great mistake. Would he accept it? Who knows.

Outside of Sac, Philly, Seattle, all he can get is the MLE from other teams.

[Ballings7]

Ron Artest will exercise his Kings option to become a free agent; Lakers, Spurs and Mavs figure to be most fervent suitors.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06242008/sp ... htm?page=2

Now, who knows how much that's worth, considering it's from Vecsey and the NY post - but if true, I think we should probably get Ron.

More interesting, but not getting my expectations up or anything.

[Blame Rasho]

I don't believe anything that Vecsey says... until proven otherwise.

[HarlemHeat37]

agreed..my doubts aren't with Ron actually opting out, they're with Ron taking the MLE..

[Ballings7]

Well, like I said earlier, if Ron did opt out, he'd have to take the MLE unless he'd sign with the Kings, Sixers, and Sonics. Kings can offer him the most money, but are questionable if they want to sign him to a long-term deal.

Artest's agent, meanwhile, continued to indicate that his client's future in Sacramento will last at least one more season. Asked if the recent speculation about Artest opting out to join the Lakers or any other championship-caliber team for the midlevel could change his mind in these final stages, Stevens said it wasn't likely.

"I don't think it would be a wise decision to (opt out)," he said. "I don't think it will happen. There's been a lot of stuff on TV about Ron, but we're not listening to any of that."

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/1037662.html

Vecsey... lol

[lukeridenour]

vecsey is very unreliable, hes known for these crazy rumors we though other reports clearly contradict him.