Stephen A. SMith- 76ers front-runners for Artest?

[TunaFish]

You seem to think that Artest will come back to the Kings at the MLE (about 5.5 million), instead of signing with another team for 9 million or more. First of all, I don't know that the Kings are willing to pay luxury tax to keep Artest at the MLE. They may not.

Artest wants more. Whatever, you think Artest is saying, try to understand that he would not opt out if he wanted the same salary or less. It is obvious that he plans to opt out. He wants to be paid. You would want to be paid and would leave for the kind of money they are talking about.

[Ballings7]

Good point guards are rare, DPOY are even more rare.

As well as a diverse offensive mis-match every night.

Miller's posting ability is a general advantage on small guards, but obviously not nearly as much as what Ron is offensively.

And Artest has been the Kings MVP AND a better player OVERALL. Miller's a good PG, but Artest overall is BETTER.

Indeed.

[Ballings7]

You seem to think that Artest will come back to the Kings at the MLE (about 5.5 million), instead of signing with another team for 9 million or more. First of all, I don't know that the Kings are willing to pay luxury tax to keep Artest at the MLE. They may not.

Thing is, the Kings can offer more than the MLE, too.

Artest wants more. Whatever, you think Artest is saying, try to understand that he would not opt out if he wanted the same salary or less. It is obvious that he plans to opt out. He wants to be paid. You would want to be paid and would leave for the kind of money they are talking about.

To opt out to expand his options. Not for the sole and main reason of getting a big contract. The recent comments are that he wants to be on a contender, proven playoff team. Thus settling for the MLE, unless he'd be S/T'ed to that type of team. Which is doubtful.

[TunaFish]

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What you've posted is factual, UNTIL you got to this part. From which part of your A$$ did you pull this from? The OPPOSITE has been said by Ron, that he loves Sacramento, that he wants to retire here...he's NEVER said that he would NOT re-sign in Sacramento...that's pure FICTION.

The reason Artest would leave is obvious. The Kings don't want to pay the luxury tax. If they get nothing they can use by trade next week then they take his expiring contract when he opts out. They will still be above the cap but below the tax level. If the Kings are a playoff team they might pay the luxury tax but that is not the case. Only a few contenders will pay the luxury tax and of course, the Knicks will pay because they don't know what they are doing. The Kings are not the Knicks.

[RIPskaterdude]

You seem to think that Artest will come back to the Kings at the MLE (about 5.5 million), instead of signing with another team for 9 million or more. First of all, I don't know that the Kings are willing to pay luxury tax to keep Artest at the MLE. They may not.

Artest wants more. Whatever, you think Artest is saying, try to understand that he would not opt out if he wanted the same salary or less. It is obvious that he plans to opt out. He wants to be paid. You would want to be paid and would leave for the kind of money they are talking about.

Damn right he wants to be paid. And the Kings have his Bird rights and can OFFER MORE THAN THE MLE. Artest has been on our team for a while now, and we know more about him and his situation in Sacramento than YOU or any of the hundreds of other fans who think we will trade him "just to get rid of him". Funny thing is, the arguement you have there shows how important getting Artest's Bird rights IS. By trading for Artest, you have a BETTER chance of re-signing him than other teams, because most of the contenders can only offer the MLE.

[underpressure]

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And Artest has been the Kings MVP AND a better player OVERALL. Miller's a good PG, but Artest overall is BETTER.

I am not even contesting that Artest is overall the better player. My point was that Andre Miller has played so far a phenomenal season and is at least equal to Artest in THIS season.

Anyway, let's close this topic.

[Ballings7]

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It doesn't matter what team you follow. If a guy thinks that he has been underpaid in his last contract, like Artest, it is all about the money. Read what Artest's agent has to say about that on the internet. It's obvious he wants a big pay day somewhere and that it will not be in Sacramento.

Yes it does matter, because you obviously haven't read what Ron said about his next contract.

I heard about that from his agent, but I don't know when that was said, how long ago. Also still doesn't change what's been said by Ron.

Ron saying money wasn't a priority was said just recently. So, you don't follow the media's coverage of the team (I do semi-regularily, and whatever is posted on this board). Thus why you weren't aware of what Ron said about money not being a serious factor.

He can get a big pay day with the Kings as well, we can offer above the MLE as well, and with the things I mentioned earlier with the Kings, it'd be more favorable for him to stay with the Kings.

Even if money is a serious factor why would it be in Philly? They can offer above the MLE, as well, but they're not a legit playoff team with or without Ron, and aren't a contending team. Just like the Kings, but the things that I mentioned earlier, would favor to him staying with the Kings. It would also stunt young players development in Philly.

Philly just doesn't make much sense for Artest overall. Especially since money isn't a huge factor.

Now if the Kings wouldn't want to re-sign him, that's a different story there. But it still doesn't change things with Philly and as a whole what Artest is looking for.

The persepctive for Ron can definitely change in the next handful of months (as it has in the past a number of times), but collectively, it's been more about winning rather than seeking a big contract. Especially as of late. He can't have both because of the options out there for him, so I'd think he'll sway to winning more than getting his biggest salary amount of his career.

I thought before myself, that Ron would want to get a big deal as his last (or 2nd to last) contract, heading into the summer, but recent comments changed things on that.

"Five hundred (stinks)," he said to a group of media after practice. "It ain't no big deal, man. I think coach wants to get to .500. Last year, (former coach Eric) Musselman was wanting to get to .500. If I'm going to be .500 for my career, I don't even want to play in the NBA."

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/687685.html

"Winning is more important," he said. "I'm not thinking about money in my situation. I'm just thinking about winning. I need a ring, or I'll be sick. Whatever I get, I'll get.

"I'll give my dogs and my kids the money, and I don't have to spend nothing. I don't need nothing. If I have my ring, I'll be OK. I can live in the streets hungry."

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/648351.html

The general idea is there.

[ICMTM]

The reason Artest would leave is obvious. The Kings don't want to pay the luxury tax.

That would be the reason the Kings don't offer him a contract...not the reason he leaves. If the Kings organization has decided to let him walk then all of this is a moot point. I'm telling you this now...the Kings are playing this thing out to the end and are waiting until the best deal comes along. If it never does then so be it...

Also the Maloofs never said they wouldn't pay the tax. We're assuming this.

[TunaFish]

"I heard about that from his agent, but I don't know when that was said, how long ago. Also still doesn't change what's been said by Ron"


Here is what Ron's agent has to say:

Josina: Well how should one quantify Ron

[TunaFish]

"Even if money is a serious factor why would it be in Philly?"

I am no fan of the sixers but this seems like a probable destination. First and foremost they will be under the cap, not in danger of paying luxury tax and can afford him. Second they have some good players and might be closer to the playoffs than other teams with cap space. Just because the Kings have bird rights doesn't matter if he is unrestricted and a team like Philly comes along and has the cap space to take him.

Bird rights let you sign your own player above the cap and lets you do a sign and trade to another team that also doesn't have cap space. The teams that take Artest and that are above the luxury tax level pay tax whether they use bird rights or acquire him in a sign and trade.

[KingInExile]

Instead of getting all hot and bothered about whether the Sixers and Kings could swing a deal involving Artest, why don't we look at the source of this "rumor". When was the last time Stephen A Smith got anything correct about the Kings? The guy is the most unreliable source of rumors involving the Kings that is out there...even worse than Peter Vescey. I'm saying right now that this whole idea is a figment A-hole's tiny imagination.

[Smills91]

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I am not even contesting that Artest is overall the better player. My point was that Andre Miller has played so far a phenomenal season and is at least equal to Artest in THIS season.

Anyway, let's close this topic.

He has played great, he really has, but even then, THIS season, Artest has IMO has played better...simple as that. Artest is one of the best, maybe close to the best two way player in the game today.

[sixersinsider]

1 Ron Ron is a east coast dude
2 He wants to be in New York but the knicks dont want him
3 Nba players covet money.Money is the ultamite measuring stick of a players worth.
4 you can never have enough money $$$$$$$
thats why they call it MONEY$$$$$$$$$
The sixers are intrested in a playoff run and not a lotto pick the deal would be more along the lines of ...jason smith... rodney carney ...sixers 08 pick ...utahs 1st rounder, kevin ollie.......for ronald and filler.......
5 The kings would urinate on themselves to get back that much valule for artest.
6 this deal has 50 50 chance of getting done
7 Theres a 100 percent chance artest bolts from sacramento

[Mahorn at the 4]

sixerinsider... is your info based on a source or opinion??????

[SacTown Kings]

:clap: 1 Ron Ron is a east coast dude
2 He wants to be in New York but the knicks dont want him
3 Nba players covet money.Money is the ultamite measuring stick of a players worth.
4 you can never have enough money $$$$$$$
thats why they call it MONEY$$$$$$$$$
The sixers are intrested in a playoff run and not a lotto pick the deal would be more along the lines of ...jason smith... rodney carney ...sixers 08 pick ...utahs 1st rounder, kevin ollie.......for ronald and filler.......
5 The kings would urinate on themselves to get back that much valule for artest.
6 this deal has 50 50 chance of getting done
7 Theres a 100 percent chance artest bolts from sacramento

Kings would take that deal for sure. Although I don't agree that it is 100% for sure Artest bolts. I say it is more like 94.5%.

[Fire BK]

Granted, Geoff Petrie and the Maloofs are shrewd men.... And the Sixers rumor is highly conjecture.... But there are 3 main reasons to believe it's possible: (1) Kenny Thomas contract, (2) Ron Ron's RFA status, and (3) West/East breakdown....

(1) Ideally, Petrie packages [Billy King's atrocious] Kenny Thomas contract in any Artest deal.... Rightfully so, that's his #1 priority... But if nobody in the NBA is willing to take on KT's contract along with Artest, this rumor could actually have legs.

Petrie's been trying to move KT's contract for a while. Perhaps he finally gives up, because it really doesn't appear to be happening. Now. That's the first domino that must drop before this longshot scenario could move forward.

But there's reason to believe KT is unmovable. There are no takers. The Knicks (believe it or not) are trying the shed salary. So is every team. Also, Sacto wants the Knicks to surrender David Lee for Artest. And that's just not happening.

The Nuggets certainly won't add KT's salary. Of all the potential Artest suitors, it doesn't appear that anyone will accept KT's contract. Also, not that many teams can be seriously vying for Artest.

Now. (2) Everybody knows Artest is opting out of Sacto this summer. So Petrie still has reason to seek value for Ron Ron even if he can't attach a KT salary-dump-- which is looking increasingly likely.

But why wouldn't Petrie just wait until the summer to sign + trade? This is the second important consideration.

The Sonics got a $9 mil trade exception and a 2nd rounder for Rashard Lewis last summer. Artest is probably going to command about $11 or $12 per year as a free agent. There's not many teams who can pay that. Sacto's trade partners over the summer might be thinner than they are right now. Petrie appears more interested in adding young talent and picks rather than solely a trade exception. Isn't that the kind of value he's sought all along?

If KT's contract can't be moved, Petrie has reason to move Artest by himself if he thinks he can get young talent, picks and an expiring right now.

The Denver package has to resemble Kleiza, 2008 first rd + Najera.

The Knicks have been offering Balkman and change forever.

The Sixers' package [Utah 09 pick, Carney, WG and Ollie's expiring] is in this ballpark. They are definitely in the running.... Making Jason Smith available might actually get it done.

(3) Just like all teams in their position, it's in the Kings' best interest to move Artest out of the Western Conference. So, if the packages between Denver and Philly are ultimately even, the Sixers have the edge simply because it wouldn't threaten Sacto and the West.

There's plenty of reason to believe the Sixers are in play for Artest. In addition to the 3 factors above, Petrie has shown a willingness to trade with Philly... Also, Stefanski has shown a willingness to take risks on questionable character guys (see the Sean Williams draft pick).

The Sixers have several attractive pieces in their young players, draft picks and expirings.

[Ballings7]

The Knicks have been offering Balkman and change forever.

Balkman has not been made available by the Knicks, ever. Go read recent Knicks/Artest talk.

[Rugged Ron Ron]

^^IIRC, there was an article awhile back about Isiah offering Balkman.

[Ballings7]

^^IIRC, there was an article awhile back about Isiah offering Balkman.

No.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... test_deal/

And that was the last talk about Artest/Knicks.

[Ballings7]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... t_serious/

Looks like SAS did that reporter thang, and exaggerated the situation. Typical media....

I still don't see anything as serious with Denver. So far it's just been exploratory talks.