Is Artest Worth $14-15 Million Per Year?

[photoWILD]

Cause apparently that's what his agent is telling him once his contract runs out.

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/701572.html

Now I realize Ron is a pretty sweet player when he's got his head screwed on straight, but is there any team out there that would make a long term commitment, at that amount, for a player with so many issues? Other than Isiah, if he's still with the Knicks at season's end.

I know he does deserve an increase in salary with the stats he's putting up, but $15 million a year is a bit steep I think. Could it be a ploy so he get's moved somewhere more desireable and accepts a lower salary than he's hinting at?

[WesWesley]

The Knicks would probably give him that type of loot.

[WashWiz54]

Is he worth it? No but neither is Rashard Lewis. He is looking around at the market and thinking "what about Ron?" Unfortunatley for Ron he has had past issues that will haunt him come free agency. In Sacramento he has been so far a really could teammate/player but he will be remembered for his Indiana days.

I think somewhere in the 9-10 million dollar range is what Artest should have his eyes set on.

[LakerFanMan]

Artest isn't even worth 10. 8, maybe. He's very talented but his past issues just absolutly destroy his value. Had he not been in trouble so much, he may just be worth 15+.

[risktaker91]

If he wasn't such an idiot he would be. He's arguably the best perimeter defender in the league and a pretty good offensive player.

[photoWILD]

If he wasn't such an idiot he would be. He's arguably the best perimeter defender in the league and a pretty good offensive player.

But wouldn't he look good in a Raptors uniform and address a few of the problems they have. The real question though is - how would he deal with the metric system - it could send him into a rage unseen in the Province of Ontario!

[KF10]

Comparing the contracts from Lewis and Peja's, I could understand why they think Artest is worth that much... IMO he should get a similar deal as Kevin Martin's...Probably 3 or 4 million less...Artest is very underpaid...That's a given fact...

[risktaker91]

-= original quote snipped =-



But wouldn't he look good in a Raptors uniform and address a few of the problems they have. The real question though is - how would he deal with the metric system - it could send him into a rage unseen in the Province of Ontario!

Yes he would be a perfect fit on the Raptors. As for the Metric system, I'm pretty sure you don't need the metric system in Basketball.

[miller31time]

Disregarding who WOULD pay Artest 15+mil per year, who COULD pay him that much?

Atlanta will only have 11mil in capspace and already have more small forwards than I can count.

Memphis will have 9-10mil in capspace and Rudy Gay as their small forward.

Philadelphia will have 11mil in capspace next season and already have Thad Young as their small forward.

Those are the only 3 teams who will be under the salary cap next season.

Sacramento might resign him, but somehow, I don't see them shelling out 15mil (twice his current per/year salary) for the man, let alone if they can (lux-tax territory).

Artest's agent is doing exactly what all agents are supposed to do - drive up the selling price of their client. The problem is that no team will be able to have interest.

Artest's choices (at least to me) are A) resign in Sacramento for around 10mil per year, B) sign with a title contender for the MLE.

[photoWILD]

-= original quote snipped =-



Yes he would be a perfect fit on the Raptors. As for the Metric system, I'm pretty sure you don't need the metric system in Basketball.

Hey risktaker91, I was just fooling around - I moved to Edinburgh in December after living my whole life in Toronto. Imperial or Metric, it doesn't make much difference these days with all of the instant converters we have available online these days. But didn't Antonio Davis make it an issue when moving his family up to the Great White North? If the Canadian dollar keeps doing well, I wonder if some players may actually sign deals in CAD rather than USD.

[Heat3]

Miami could pay if Marion opts out, but I'd rather have Marion.

[UNLVNugsFan]

Short answer........No.

With his character flaws, both on and off the court, hes not even close to that type of money.

[photoWILD]

Disregarding who WOULD pay Artest 15+mil per year, who COULD pay him that much?

Atlanta will only have 11mil in capspace and already have more small forwards than I can count.

Memphis will have 9-10mil in capspace and Rudy Gay as their small forward.

Philadelphia will have 11mil in capspace next season and already have Thad Young as their small forward.

Those are the only 3 teams who will be under the salary cap next season.

Sacramento might resign him, but somehow, I don't see them shelling out 15mil (twice his current per/year salary) for the man, let alone if they can (lux-tax territory).

Artest's agent is doing exactly what all agents are supposed to do - drive up the selling price of their client. The problem is that no team will be able to have interest.

Artest's choices (at least to me) are A) resign in Sacramento for around 10mil per year, B) sign with a title contender for the MLE.

Very sweet breakdown and analysis miller31time! I would think your ability to find useful information and your great statsistical analysis would be able to make you a moderator on RealGM...oh wait a second. Great work!

Do you really think Ron, and his agent, will settle for the MLE? Sounds like his agent is pushing him. If he want's the big bucks he may have to resign with the Kings if no other team offers him some crazy contract. Even then, I don't see him making over $10 mil a year. If he was a solid guy like Bosh or Wade, then no problem, THE MAX.

[mistatwo mayn]

Artest's agent just wants more money for... himself.

If he did go to Miami and Marion stayed, that'd be an interesting lineup:

Wade
Marion
Artest
Haslem
**Beasley**

[photoWILD]

Artest's agent just wants more money for... himself.

If he did go to Miami and Marion stayed, that'd be an interesting lineup:

Wade
Marion
Artest
Haslem
**Beasley**

Yeah, no doubt, Artest's agent has a percentage (pay day) in his mind right now but I'm not too sure its realistic!

If Ron did end up on Miami that would make up one of the sickest backcourts in the NBA. But what about the frountcourt and what kind of money would be left to sign free agents, if any, considering Marion can opt-in for next season at $17.1? That's almost Shaq's salary.

[miller31time]

Can't see Marion opting out. Like Artest, where in the heck would he go? No team could offer him more than the per year salary he's option out of. Plus, he's got the role he always wanted in Phoenix in that of the Heat - 2nd best player.

Oh, and photoWILD, I got all of my salary information from nate33's stickied thread at the top of the general board - 2008 Free Agency Breakdown: Teams With Caproom

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=745516

[photoWILD]

Can't see Marion opting out. Like Artest, where in the heck would he go? No team could offer him more than the per year salary he's option out of. Plus, he's got the role he always wanted in Phoenix in that of the Heat - 2nd best player.

Oh, and photoWILD, I got all of my salary information from nate33's stickied thread at the top of the general board - 2008 Free Agency Breakdown: Teams With Caproom

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=745516

I can't see Marion opting out of some serious cash either! Artest is a different beast though - who knows what will go through his mind when he make's it to free agency and he's got Zeke, if he's still in NY, telling tales of grandure for the Knicks franchise. LOL.

And thanks for the note on the salary info - I could really use that when contemplating trades for several teams!

Take it easy...

[JellosJigglin]

No. Not even if hand checking were allowed and he were in his prime. If I could include a clause in his contract that a medical staff must monitor whether he's taking his medications or not, then I would consider paying him about $10 mil for 2 seasons. And only if it would make my team a contender, meaning they are already set at the other positions.

[furrywan6]

If he could calm his emotions down to a tolerable level, I wouldn't mind paying him 12-14 million per. However, it's obvious that he can't keep himself under control. The GSW game last night was a prime example of that. The funny thing is, I wasn't surprised when he started taunting the crowd for 6-7 seconds. If it was almost anyone else, I definately would've been surprised. With that in mind, I think 8-9 million would be my max for him and his antics.

[lukeridenour]

ideally, 15+ should be reserved for francise players or model star role players. artest is neither a francise player or a model star, but rashard got 20 million so who knows.