Artest No Longer Lobbying For Trade

[Jordan45822]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3249812

[xAIRNESSx]

I guess there are enough shots for Artest now that Bibby's gone...

[Russ369]

IMO they need to move him anyway and open up that 3 spot for Salmons, he proved that with PT he can put up big numbers, and his contract is decent...

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

He's up after this season right? They'll let him expire for more cap room.

[Ballings7]

As it has gone with Ron before, he's changed his mind from what it was 2-3 weeks ago.

I guess there are enough shots for Artest now that Bibby's gone...

Well, that's a wrong assumption, actually.

Watching Kings since Mike Bibby came back, Mike was differing offensively and playing a more balanced offensive game. Looking for his shot less, and rightfully so with the other players on the team. Mike was the 4th option after Artest, Martin, Brad Miller. This was clear.

[PopAGat]

This guy is so on and off.

[Turisas]

IMO they need to move him anyway and open up that 3 spot for Salmons, he proved that with PT he can put up big numbers, and his contract is decent...

I agree I think the Kings will move him before the deadline.

[xAIRNESSx]

As it has gone with Ron before, he's changed his mind from what it was 2-3 weeks ago.

-= original quote snipped =-



Well, that's a wrong assumption, actually.

Watching Kings since Mike Bibby came back, Mike was differing offensively and playing a more balanced offensive game. Looking for his shot less, and rightfully so with the other players on the team. Mike was the 4th option after Artest, Martin, Brad Miller. This was clear.

Bibby is a good scorer regardless of what option he is. Why do you think Artest doesn't want out anymore?

[Ballings7]

Bibby is a good scorer regardless of what option he is.

Yes. But how his role was with the rest of the team still stands as it was when he came back. He was not taking away shots from Artest at all. He was noticably below Ron in the offense.

Then there's this:

The Kings might have other motivations to keep him around. Artest has been playing maybe his best ball as a King since those comments about leaving, with first-year coach Reggie Theus praising Artest's increased willingness to share the ball and his all-around team play in making the claim this week that "Ron is our go-to guy."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3249812

Ron's passing ability and efforts really has been an underrated and overlooked part of his game for awhile now. It's just continued to be there this season.

Why do you think Artest doesn't want out anymore?

He never said he wanted out, wanted a trade, demanded a trade, he said he'd be better off elsewhere because of Salmons and Garcia, and now leans to staying around, with the comments in the article in this thread.

Here's the former's article of origin: http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/687685.html

And that also relates to my first comment in my first post.

Regardless, I'd sway to Ron not being a King next season.

But I also don't see anything out there that's probable to say he'll be traded by the deadline. Something first that is legitimate, has to be initiated, and then build, in the way of a proposed deal. There hasn't been anything like that since the 3-way Bulls/Lakers/Kings deal last year in the fall. Came close to happening, but was dead.

Denver up to this point has just been exploratory talk, and the latest was that the talks broke down between the two teams, and Najera/R1 pick offer wasn't going to get it done.

[xAIRNESSx]

Is there much difference in saying you'd be better off elsewhere than saying that you want to be traded?

[Ballings7]

Is there much difference in saying you'd be better off elsewhere than saying that you want to be traded?

In all of what Ron said in the article in this thread, and the one I posted from the Sacbee? I think there is some difference.

If he felt that way he would of said it or alluded to it better. He didn't do that. And this is a guy who says what is on his mind and is solid with the media in talking to them. He's not shy.

Bottom line, he hasn't requested a trade. If he did it in-house, I'd say he would of already been dealt, or would be close to.

[Iggyemu]

He auditioned for the Rockets the other night in Houston. He can say what he wants but Houston was one of the teams looking at trying to get him and he put on a great show the other night.

[Ballings7]

Well, I don't know about a trade this season, but I think Houston is a respectable possiblity to sign the Ron show for the MLE this off-season. One of the small amount of teams that would be possible signing destinations for him.

Houston would probably have to take on Kenny Thomas in a trade. Which Petrie will attempt to package with Artest in any deal, as he has with other calls about Artest from teams. From all collective reports going back to last June (beginning with Miami and New York). Not sure how talks would go if Houston declined taking Kenny (which they probably would decline).

[loserX]

Wow, what are the odds that a player up for free agency would decline to request a trade on the exact same day that his team cleared $11M+ in capspace for next year? That's amazing!

[ilikecb4]

artest is a crybaby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeqnas3Uf2A

[M.Balla]

Artest: $7,800,000
Thomas: $7,331,250

Nobody has 14 mill on expirings, they would have to take salaries...

Wait, Memphis has the space. But it makes -100 sense for them... Wait, Chris Wallace is their GM...

NBA where amazing happens and we wouldn't surprise a bit

[-bob-]

Artest wrote in an e-mail. "My entire focus is with Sac and winning a championship this year."


Man, this dude really is CRAZY.

[RJM]

I feel the Maloofs should just trade him anyways. This doesn't make sense. You don't make comments like that for months only to recant them at the expense of team chemistry. Wrong move by Ron-Ron.

[667Club]

the guy is bipolar