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

[rpa]

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.

It's in the ballpark with the Knicks package but only because the Knicks are offering nothing but pure garbage.

The pick has very little value. It's a future pick, it's heavily protected, and it's coming from 1 of the best teams in the league. Carney has 0 value to the Kings given who the Kings have at the wings right now. The Kings have ZERO need for Willie Green and his longterm contract.

It's basically a bunch of useless and low valued pieces for Artest. As a matter of fact I'd probably rather see Artest leave for nothing at this point than take that deal but I'd DEFINITELY take the chance that Artest leaves for nothing than take that package.

If the Sixers want to change Utah's pick to their own pick then maybe it happens.

[Dustin5566]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/50928/20080218/sixers_interest_in_artest_isnt_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.

Do you think when he's "researching" alone at home he is yelling like an immature jackass like he does on tv???

[Rugged Ron Ron]

-= original quote snipped =-



No.

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

And that was the last talk about Artest/Knicks.

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic. ... 1#14999767

[ICMTM]

Doesn't dealing for Lee or Balkman at this point seem stupid considering that we just dealt for Sheldon Williams? I'm not saying one is better than the other but moving Artest for anything that doesn't expire seems like a waste of time now.

[SacTown Kings]

Funny, before Denver did not want to throw Kleiza into the deal and now the rumor has them not only throwing Kleiza in but a first round pick as well. If Petrie has decided to trade Ron (which I believe he has) then I would do this deal. There would be a possibility Denver doesn't even make the playoffs, that would make the rest of the season fun to watch.

[Ballings7]

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic....1#14999767

Then that is either wrong, or an exception, to the collective rest of Artest/Knick related trade talk. Going back to last summer.

The consensus has been and is, Balkman hasn't been made available. As so went in the last report about Artest/Knicks, which I posted previously. What you posted is not the last, but in between.

Also, in the last story, Robinson became not available. Whereas previously, he seemingly was because he wasn't mentioned as untouchable in an Artest deal. I think Nate's improved play made this happen, which has been there.

Doesn't dealing for Lee or Balkman at this point seem stupid considering that we just dealt for Sheldon Williams? I'm not saying one is better than the other but moving Artest for anything that doesn't expire seems like a waste of time now.

Good point, because getting Shelden I'd say ends any Knick trade possibility at all (Isiah budging on Lee). If not so before (Isiah not budging on Lee).

There's really no room for Lee anymore. He's better off in New York.

Balkman I like a lot generally, but not for Ron Artest. Plus there's not much space for him on the team.

Neither have been/are available to us, anyway.

All Knick trade proposals should just be locked from now on.

Funny, before Denver did not want to throw Kleiza into the deal and now the rumor has them not only throwing Kleiza in but a first round pick as well. If Petrie has decided to trade Ron (which I believe he has) then I would do this deal. There would be a possibility Denver doesn't even make the playoffs, that would make the rest of the season fun to watch.

There was the R1 pick involved the first time, as well. Then it went down to Najera/R1 pick, but that put talks off. Now it's back to where it was originally.

[SacTown Kings]

^^ Oh I never knew the pick was originally involved.

[Rugged Ron Ron]

Then that is either wrong, or an exception, to the collective rest of Artest/Knick related trade talk. Going back to last summer.

The consensus has been and is, Balkman hasn't been made available. As so went in the last report about Artest/Knicks, which I posted previously. What you posted is not the last, but in between.

Also, in the last story, Robinson became not available. Whereas previously, he seemingly was because he wasn't mentioned as untouchable in an Artest deal. I think Nate's improved play made this happen, which has been there.

Wrong or right, noone knows. It's the media, they can say whatever they want to get attention. The same thing goes with the last article youre talking about. I dont give a damn what the media said unless theres a credible source to back it up.

As for any Artest trade between NY/Sac before this deadline, we can forget about it. It wont happen. NY has no chance making the playoffs. If NY want Artest, they'll disgust a S&T with the team Artest is on.

[ICMTM]

I'm warning up to the Denver deal, but that pick even if they don't make the playoffs will be like #14.

[SacKingZZZ]

Now that we have Shelden I think that puts to rest the need to get a young big. We have two already, and may get another in the draft. Two to three young bigs is more than enough.

[pillwenney]

Now that we have Shelden I think that puts to rest the need to get a young big. We have two already, and may get another in the draft. Two to three young bigs is more than enough.

We still need more young bigs than we do young wing guys.

[Ballings7]

Now that we have Shelden I think that puts to rest the need to get a young big. We have two already, and may get another in the draft. Two to three young bigs is more than enough.

I wouldn't rule out one more in the form of a deepish bench role-player. Aside from the future PF, of course (which you mentioned). The former quite possibly coming from one of those 2nd rounders.

We'll have three young bigs eventually. I think we'll have four, too. Hawes, PF from draft (08 probably, if not, 09), Shelden, and another complementary player.

All of the veteran bigs we have are either short-term factors (Moore/Brad), or just not in the plans much at all (KT, and quesionable for SAR). Heck, Brad or Moore could be dealt by Thursday. All of the veteran bigs are past 30, too. All of this is why we need a 4th young big man to come in from within the next two summers, combined with Shelden, to take over for the veterans in time. Aside from the PF that will be had from the draft. Because down the line, Hawes will be Brad's replacement, and the eventual PF will slot in from the trio of decent-average players we've had there in Kenny, SAR, and Moore, the last three years and on.

We still need more young bigs than we do young wing guys.

No doubt.

The team's youth and future still needs to get some more balanced. Not much left to do with the wing-spots, as a whole, too.

Really, the only wing-player that is needed is a PG, for the extended future.

And who knows with this, but the other case of getting a perimeter player would be an upgrade on somebody from the main group. Where somebody is dealt or not re-signed. Also maybe a deep bench guy behind the regulars.

[Ballings7]

Since you and I were adamant about each of our positions (and I'm a big Artest fan), Tuna, I've had this book-marked to be revisited... at the time of the posts, this thread, it was questionable what Ron was going to do (he was going back and forth on opting in and out).

But as became more clear, and what was indicated last and the most since the Spring (or around March) - Ron's going to stay with the Kings, not opt out and sign with Philly.

And, if he did opt out, aside from what he said relating to winning over money back then, signing with a contending/good-situation team was again touched upon a couple days ago, again. That was still a realistic possibility, if he did opt out.

I also got a chuckle again out of SAS reporting Philly would/could well be the front-runners for Ron... pure filler, for part of the required amount of material he had to produce for his company.