Brand,Maggette and Baron opt out. Rumor: Artest doesn't

[Erik Eleven]

Getting Maggette for the MLE is a steal.

Indeed.

Isn't he a very close friends of Kobe's as well?

[LLcoleJ]

http://www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_9759147

No direst quotes but the author seems to think the kings might trade artest. I was really hoping he would come here as a free agent,that way we could keep the team together.

:waits: for that rpa guy not to show up to respond to this until there is an "I told you so/sour grapes" opportunity.

Ha, shockingly, he didnt return after Ron came out and said he made a mistake.

[Erik Eleven]

Well, after what Artest said in the media, how could they want to keep him? They're pretty much forced to get rid of him. He's such a stupid idiot, it's not even funny. I actually thought for a second that he could help us but after what he said yesterday, he confirmed once again that he's a total air-head.

What franchise will he wreck next? Three in the can. To be continued...

EE- I have always respected your opinions and feelings on Artest and I dont blame you for feeling that way. However, regardless of all his shortcomings.. he would help us beyond belief. A line up of:

Fisher
Bryant
Artest
Pau
Drew

me likey...

I likey, too. At least yesterday morning, I couldn't come up with good arguments against going after him. But then the bozo goes out to the press the day after he decides to not opt out, to state that it was a mistake not to opt out. Wow. He leaves them no choice but to trade him. What an idiot.

All of that puts me back to square one — not wanting him here under any circumstances at all, once again. How many times does he have to do this before people stop giving him a free pass out of jail? Sure, he'd be great on the floor guarding Paul Pierce, but he'd be horrible to have in the locker room.

If they want to do a straight up trade for Radmanovic, I might consider it for a second. Not sure I'd do it, though. He's a true lose cannon. I'd much rather see Posey or Battier.


EDIT: But yeah, that line-up could go 70-12, if fully healthy (including mental health).

[Danny Darko]

My take on Ron is it wasn't pure stupidity but rather he intended to keep the money and force a trade not realizing he could have walked out and still made the money made available by elton, corey, and baron.

Now he's in a position to make that money and go to a contender. I think he really did feel stupid for not opting out with the money that was freed up at G.S. and the Clips, but also realized before the deadline that he could take the money and force a trade. I still don't think the Kings would deal with us unless we gave them the sky.

Now do I want Artest.... hmmm yes and no. He's quite an idiot, but a skilled one that fits our needs.

How bout them Warriors offering Brand the max? That would be sweet if he went to G.S. and Baron got duped into playing for Sterling on his own from a laker standpoint

[milesfides]

From reading the comments he made, I think Artest might be upset at his agent, Mark Stevens.

He said he had "misleading information" that led to his decision not to opt out. I think he's obviously referring to Stevens' advice to play out another year, presumably to establish Artest's value and cash in on better market conditions in '09. What's clear is that Maloofs didn't offer Artest the extension that he wanted. Watching Arenas, Brand, and Davis opt out, some say against conventional wisdom, despite the market showing a dearth of teams with cap space, might have caused Artest to think the market is better than what his agent painted it out to be.

The problem with Artest's view? Only two teams, Clippers and Warriors, are generating all this action. The Clippers lured Baron, the Warriors are trying to lure Brand. The Warriors might even be trying to lure Arenas back. Only a few teams are participating in this game of musical chairs, and Artest might be confused as to why these guys opted out successfully.

Now if Artest could accept the MLE, then he would have opted out like Maggette, and play for a contender. But he said he wouldn't, so unless he's changed his mind about the MLE, this might be largely a case of sour grapes. The big boys are opting out and cashing in, and he feels left out.

I think Artest is a bit confused about what happened in the last 48 hours, but he has a legitimate gripe about the lack of an extension from the Kings - certainly his agent didn't do much to extract one by applying public pressure.

But I like what Artest said at the end: "I still thank God for all his blessings and being able to play basketball and help people."

He might be pissed, he might be a little confused, but I don't think he's crazy. I can't say I'm entirely objective though, since I like him a lot.

Still, I don't think this helps us, because I think we're pretty much the last team the Kings will want to trade with. If we get Artest, it'll be by his signing as an MLE free agent next summer or a sign and trade after he gets traded to another team.

[TylersLakers]

I would much rather see Posey or Battier instead of Artest. I love him on the court, but it seems he's relied too much on outside shooting the past little bit.

In the locker room, I'm not worried about him. It's in the media that I worry. I think he would be a great teammate, but I'm worried about his off court problems. He's been very good on the court ever since the Palace brawl.

He'd still be great guarding Pierce, but I think Posey or Battier could do that just as good. Also, without the risk. They're players who also know their role and don't go outside it, so that's another advantage they have.

Battier would be so perfect. A gentleman in the media, a badass on the court, but after the whistle, he'll shake your hand and say "good game." A defensive player, who knocks down threes.

Or Posey, with his good athleticism, his nasty attitude and physical play. A defensive player, makes clutch shots in clutch moments. Dives on the floor, all while flashing that nasty grin at you.

Either one of those guys would be absolutely perfect. Do It Mitch! Get Posey!

[snaquille oatmeal]

at best, it mighty be a ploy by Artest to force the Kings into a sign and trade with a contender. he wants his cake and eat it too.

[Anklebreaker702]

I'd bag Maggette

Man squirrel i'm glad someone is feeling me on that thought

[TommyTheCat]

has artest made a good decision since joining the nba? he should be walking around with a helmet on at all times.

[hermes]

then he might randomly headbutt people
not that he wouldn't do that now

[KingLakers]

An Artest Trade that works for the Lakers and Kings is this, Lamar and Vlad for Artest and Thomas. I tried it in the trade checker and it works but, the problem with doing this is that with the Lakers potentially needing to extend Kobe, Bynum,and maybe resign Ariza next summer I can't see how the Lakers can do that and resign Artest. To make this trade work cap wise down the line the Lakers will probably need to extend Artest after they trade for him just to get those 3 other things done next summer and don't forget Farmar might want a extension too. Someone like Luke may have too be traded during next season or next summer just to open up enough money get that done. Its funny isn't how during the 3 peat years we were complaining that the Lakers didn't have enough talent to repeat now the Lakers have so much that they may have to let someone good go to keep others from leaving.

[Verbal]

Have the Lakers FO been making efforts to acquire the "Tru Warior"?

Have they expressed any interest?

Can the current FO get it done?