Stephen A. Smith- Artest rumor

noone · Post #41 » by **noone** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:28 pm

I have always been against keeping Miller around and for trading him in order to "tank". This team needs to add a lot more talent before it has any chance of competing. However, if Ed can pull this trade off, I will be ecstatic. Not only do we get some of that talent we need, but it leaves us with so many options this offseason (dabods already went through them so there's no need to repeat em). We really lose nothing in terms of leverage over the offseason, sure a lower draft pick, but who cares, I'll take that hit anyday for the chance to watch this team be competitive in the playoffs again (this season). I could easily see the 2nd round for this team. I can't wait until I can enjoy wins from this team again. This would so do it.

noone · Post #42 » by **noone** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:32 pm

Chris - Sure, they'll consider Artest. It's hard to disregard the availability of one of the NBA's better defenders. But Artest is looking to sign for, likely, a $13 million-per-year contract this summer. Denver doesn't have the cap room for that (keep your eye on Philadelphia). So if the Nuggets deal for Artest, they will have to deal Linas Kleiza, who is playing well and still on his first contract, and maybe the 2008 draft pick, who if Denver kept, would, obviously, also be on his first contract. Something to consider in regards to renting Ron Ron.

Wouldn't the team that Artest finishes the season with have his bird rights allowing them to sign him to any size contract (within the max allowed) regardless of how much over the cap they are? That's the way I understood it. Maybe someone who has more knowledge of the CBA can shed some more light.

And I just don't see any team giving into his $13 million request. He's too much of a headcase to take that chance with.

Post #43 » by **dbodner** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:37 pm

Wouldn't the team that Artest finishes the season with have his bird rights allowing them to sign him to any size contract (within the max allowed) regardless of how much over the cap they are? That's the way I understood it. Maybe someone who has more knowledge of the CBA can shed some more light.

Yes (unless I'm mistaken again, lol). Maybe he meant they'd be too close to the luxury tax?

noone · Post #44 » by **noone** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:41 pm

Grenerd686 wrote:I dont see how our rebuilding team wins in this. We will most likely win more games this year and make the playoffs. This will hurt our chances of getting at top draft prospect. I see this trade as taking a step backward. We win a couple more games this year and next season we are not as strong.

The only way that this benefits our team is if we sign and trade Artest in the offseason for a nice starting PF.

However this whole situation is very unlikely. That is Artest being traded to the sixers.

If Artest doesn't want to stick around in the offseason, that's perfectly fine, we'll have more cap space than we would've had had we not traded for him. And if he does want to stick around, then he'll HAVE to sign a very reasonable contract because only Memphis could give him more than the MLE and they won't be going after him because they'll be in the beginning stages of rebuilding.

And let's face it, Miller should have been gone a LONG time ago. It's way too late now, even if he were traded today, we probably don't get a better pick than 7. And realistically, Miller isn't going anywhere this season, and we'll end up around 12 again. Even if we only wanted to rent Artest for this season, our pick will end up around 16-17 instead of the 12, but we'll also have a competitive team in the playoffs. Unless you think that the dropoff from 12 to 17 will cost us a good player in the draft, there is no way we lose. And from what people are saying, that dropoff won't be that big.

OhhBF · Post #45 » by **OhhBF** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:42 pm

Grenerd686 wrote:The only way that this benefits our team is if we sign and trade Artest in the offseason for a nice starting PF.

That's not a bad bargaining chip to have in the offseason. Green and Carney are not core players. Utah's 1st is nothing to lose any sleep over either.

barkley34 · Post #46 » by **barkley34** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:47 pm

I want no part of Artest. He is a cancer,a distraction and Cheeks has shown he can't handle nut cases. The only way I would do it is if we then moved Artest right away for an expiring contract like to Miami for Jason Williams.

noone · Post #47 » by **noone** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:48 pm

barkley34 wrote:I want no part of Artest. He is a cancer,a distraction and Cheeks has shown he can't handle nut cases. The only way I would do it is if we then moved Artest right away for an expiring contract like to Miami for Jason Williams.

Artest pretty much is an expiring contract. All signs point to him opting out.

Philly's Best · Post #48 » by **Philly's Best** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:09 pm

Not that I believe Sacramento does this deal, but are people really debating over starting Willie Green over Ron Artest? That is essentially what that amounts to. Seems like a no brainer as the rest from our end won't be missed either.

Seems like a low risk, high reward type of scenario. At this point we would have to lose out to have a chance at getting enough ping pong balls and would still have to hope for the best. Not a lot to lose in trying to get a young team some playoff experience and extra gametime. Also not a lot of difference in picks 12- 17 since that is the range we are realistically talking about.

Anyway, I can't see the benefit of Sacramento doing this unless they think they can really make Carney into something, so it is probably a moot point.

Dedicated_76ers_fan · Post #49 » by **Dedicated_76ers_fan** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:13 pm

So, if Sacramento accepts that trade. I'll just go "ED, YOUR A FREAKING GENIUS" and the love continues.

freshie2 · Post #50 » by **freshie2** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:18 pm

SAS rumor makes it tough to swallow, but the value going back isn't crazy for a player with serious character issues...very similar to AI last year. Is Kidd really worth what Dallas is offering compared to what the Sixers got for AI?? Kidd is probably a better all around player, but not by that much where they get back 2 #1's and a very talented young PG. Same thing for Artest. Carney, Green and a #1 isn't too far out of line to get someone like Artest. Plus, the Sixers still have a high character core that probably can take on someone like Artest.

Given they are not expected to win anything this season, and there is the high probability he opts out, it's worth the risk.

Dedicated_76ers_fan · Post #51 » by **Dedicated_76ers_fan** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:23 pm

The thing Ron Artest also gives us is a 20 PPG Guard/Forward. But this may take away some of Thad's mins

. Unless Ron can guard PF'S. Then we have Thad/Iggy/Ron. That **** would be explosive. And, with 2 20 PPG forwards. We would be serious dark horses out in the east.

Post #52 » by **Stanford** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:24 pm

Dedicated, we run Green, Andre and Young right now. I don't see why Andre, Artest and Thad wouldn't work.

freshie2 · Post #53 » by **freshie2** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:25 pm

Why would that take away from Thad? He's playing from the PF spot now? I think he's playing well enough that he'd still get his time. Artest would just move into Green's spot.

Dedicated_76ers_fan · Post #54 » by **Dedicated_76ers_fan** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:25 pm

I said it would work. I was just a little phased out at first. I would be EXCITED. Trade deadline present: Ronny boy.

Dedicated_76ers_fan · Post #55 » by **Dedicated_76ers_fan** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:26 pm

Thad/Iggy/Ron= How sick is that on the break. Add Dalember to the occassion and we can pull a Cleveland Cavaliers.(Sure, there's Boston, but we can give em a run for the money)

sec-106 · Post #56 » by **sec-106** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:44 pm

Great deal for the Sixers.

Even if he doesn't opt out, he only has next year left anyway.

ExplosionsInDaSky · Post #57 » by **ExplosionsInDaSky** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:46 pm

I hope this happens. We are winning and playing well and Artest would really elevate our status as a threat in the playoffs. A sixth see would land us a match with Orlando which would be competitive with Artest on our team. Not sure who i'd pick to win that especially if we head into the playoffs on a hot note.

Post #58 » by **Stanford** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:48 pm

It's not going to happen and I have doubts that Ed is even thinking about a deal for Artest. But I have to say, this would make me really excited about this team.

Mahorn at the 4 · Post #59 » by **Mahorn at the 4** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:50 pm

I e-mailed Narducci, he says that he has spoken to a few people and there is nothing to the rumor. It was fun to think about, though.

FWIW, the day before the Kidd trade a source said the same thing about Kidd to Big D.

Post #60 » by **dbodner** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:03 pm

I don't trust any reporters to:
1) really have absolute knowledge. They may get a source, and may get a scoop, but rarely would I trust them to say "there is nothing to a rumor". Doing so would be to believe they know every rumor, which I don't believe any media member does
2) Tell the truth even if they did have the info.