What can Cleveland give for Ron Artest?

[Ballings7]

Cleveland won't get their season tickets for the Ron Show

[Smooth32]

If he was anywhere near as talented as people make him out to be, he wouldn't have had to go crawling back to Cleveland when he wanted to bolt for more money.

His agent brainwashed him into thinking he was worth more money than he really was. Fegan is a complete jackass and it's pretty much known league wide what a a-hole he is. If he would have stayed with his old agent, (I believe Rudoy) he would have been content with taking somewhere along the lines of a 5 year, 35 million dollar deal. But since he dropped his old agent and switched to Fegan, is where it all went down hill.

You guys are expecting way too much in return for Ron-Ron. I know you guys want great value but you simply aren't going to get it. I'm not trying to insult you guys, I'm just telling you what I feel from the things that I've read.

And decent young talent paired with expirings is better than just straight up expirings like Odom or Marion.

[Ballings7]

Not Bass and Stackhouse.

[Bac2Basics]

If he was anywhere near as talented as people make him out to be, he wouldn't have had to go crawling back to Cleveland when he wanted to bolt for more money.

His agent brainwashed him into thinking he was worth more money than he really was. Fegan is a complete jackass and it's pretty much known league wide what a a-hole he is. If he would have stayed with his old agent, (I believe Rudoy) he would have been content with taking somewhere along the lines of a 5 year, 35 million dollar deal. But since he dropped his old agent and switched to Fegan, is where it all went down hill.
You guys are expecting way too much in return for Ron-Ron. I know you guys want great value but you simply aren't going to get it. I'm not trying to insult you guys, I'm just telling you what I feel from the things that I've read.
And decent young talent paired with expirings is better than just straight up expirings like Odom or Marion.

He may have a bad agent, but that doesn't make him more talented than he is.
I've seen enough of him myself to feel like I can form at least a general opinion of his game and what I've seen has been decidedly unimpressive.
As far as I'm concerned, the best case scenario with AV would be that he's still a project, but the Kings now have at least 3 project big men (Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes & Shelden Williams). Additionally, Mikki Moore is still a reasonably effective option, and Brad Miller should continue to be a solid option through at least the remainder of his current contract.
The problem is that there is no clear perfect solution when it comes to an Artest trade, or it would have happened already, but it's clear to me that viewing Anderson Varejao as some some significant enticement to make a deal is a mistake. He's throw-in cap filler, and nothing more.

[rjgraca]

He may have a bad agent, but that doesn't make him more talented than he is.
I've seen enough of him myself to feel like I can form at least a general opinion of his game and what I've seen has been decidedly unimpressive.
As far as I'm concerned, the best case scenario with AV would be that he's still a project, but the Kings now have at least 3 project big men (Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes & Shelden Williams). Additionally, Mikki Moore is still a reasonably effective option, and Brad Miller should continue to be a solid option through at least the remainder of his current contract.
The problem is that there is no clear perfect solution when it comes to an Artest trade, or it would have happened already, but it's clear to me that viewing Anderson Varejao as some some significant enticement to make a deal is a mistake. He's throw-in cap filler, and nothing more.

I can understand that some Sacramento fans don't appreciate a good defender and defender like Varejao, but comparing him to projects like Hawes and Thompson that are about two years away of possibly passing Varejao's present level is silly at best. Comparing a bust like Shelden Williams shows that you don't know much about Varejao beyond looking at stats and even stats should have told you that Varejao was clearly better than Sacramento's projects. Varejao has significant playoff experience and these projects that you are so proud of are far from to. Filler is a journeyman like
Mikki Moore (on the wrong side of 30) -- not a PF / C like Varejao heading into his prime. I suppose if you are looking for a flashy player you wouldn't be interested in Varejao since he can only do the little thinks on defense and offensive boards that help you win games.

[SacKingZZZ]

He may have a bad agent, but that doesn't make him more talented than he is.
I've seen enough of him myself to feel like I can form at least a general opinion of his game and what I've seen has been decidedly unimpressive.
As far as I'm concerned, the best case scenario with AV would be that he's still a project, but the Kings now have at least 3 project big men (Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes & Shelden Williams). Additionally, Mikki Moore is still a reasonably effective option, and Brad Miller should continue to be a solid option through at least the remainder of his current contract.
The problem is that there is no clear perfect solution when it comes to an Artest trade, or it would have happened already, but it's clear to me that viewing Anderson Varejao as some some significant enticement to make a deal is a mistake. He's throw-in cap filler, and nothing more.

I can understand that some Sacramento fans don't appreciate a good defender and defender like Varejao, but comparing him to projects like Hawes and Thompson that are about two years away of possibly passing Varejao's present level is silly at best. Comparing a bust like Shelden Williams shows that you don't know much about Varejao beyond looking at stats and even stats should have told you that Varejao was clearly better than Sacramento's projects. Varejao has significant playoff experience and these projects that you are so proud of are far from to. Filler is a journeyman like
Mikki Moore (on the wrong side of 30) -- not a PF / C like Varejao heading into his prime. I suppose if you are looking for a flashy player you wouldn't be interested in Varejao since he can only do the little thinks on defense and offensive boards that help you win games.

You mean the level of a hustle big!? They are on completely different tracks as both players and talents. The fact is Anderson is a good solid player, but there is a chance that even Shelden has a higher ceiling than Varejeo. And I hate to tell you, Anderson is pretty close to carving out his own future as a "journeyman". Make no mistake the guy is a good player, but of the Scot Pollard variety, not much more.

I would rather see the Cavs keep Anderson and send Joe Smith/Damon Jones in his place.

Artest, Kenny, and Mikki Moore

for

Wally, Jones, 1st rounder.

I'd do that deal right now and leave the Lakers heads spinning with how much they blew it.

[Ballings7]

I'd do that as well, not ideal return-wise, but overall, I'd be okay with it.

[Bac2Basics]

If Cav fan is nearly as impressed with AV as they seem to be, feel free to keep him,

[CableKC]

I would rather see the Cavs keep Anderson and send Joe Smith/Damon Jones in his place.

Artest, Kenny, and Mikki Moore

for

Wally, Jones, 1st rounder.

I'd do that deal right now and leave the Lakers heads spinning with how much they blew it.

An Artest+Kenny Thomas deal for Odom would be comprable to the same deal for Odom.

By adding on Kenny Thomas and Mikki Moore's Paritally Guaranteed contract to the 2009-2010 salarycap, would the Cavs even have the $$$ to even try to resign Artest next season?

Adding in a 1st round draft pick while moving Mikki Moore's contact would only benefit the Kings in the long run. My guess is that the Cavs would be hard-pressed to have the $$$ to resign Artest...which would turn Artest into another 1 year rental.

The Cavs....just like any other team...isn't going to want to give up too much ( including Financial Flexiblility and Draft picks ) to get Artest. Trade WallyWorld for Artest+Kenny Thomas...no problem.....add on Mikki Moore and a future 1st round pick...I doubt that happens.

[Smills91]

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sp ... .html#more

As for other teams, here's what I'm hearing regarding a few (and, no, this is not a comprehensive list - just hitting on a few of the lesser talked-about potential Artest destinations)...

Dallas: They've already revealed their interest, but the only deal that gets done on the Kings' end here is Artest for Josh Howard. For now, the Mavs won't do it. For now, that is...

Cleveland: There has been some speculation that the Cavs would make a play here, but a source close to the Cavs says it's not likely. Not impossible - especially if January brings a subpar record and King James is getting restless again - but not likely.

Detroit: Could this be why Artest was so interested in interviewing brawl instigator John Green a while back? It would be a brilliant PR move if the Pistons were looking to put a package together for Artest.

And from what I was told from one source close to the Pistons, they are. I've yet to get this info from more than one person, so stay tuned. But much like the Mavs' situation, this could be one of those where the player the Kings want (perhaps Tayshaun Prince) would be different than the one offered (Jason Maxiell, anyone?). Pure speculation on my part in terms of the potential pieces.

Phoenix: I've been hearing this as a possibility from the beginning but heard nothing in the way of actual talks.

The player always first discussed is Leandro Barbosa (four years, $27 million left with player option in fourth year), the Roadrunner who could add quite some punch to the Kings' backcourt. As for the next logical question of why the Kings wouldn't leave that role to the likes of John Salmons and Francisco Garcia, consider this: Salmons (three years, $16 million remaining) was believed to be available around draft time if it meant the Kings could trade their pick and move up; Garcia is coming off a breakout year, but the Kings must decide by Oct. 31 whether they want to ante up for an extension. - Sam Amick

It'd be interesting if we got a Tayshaun Prince back. I think Detroit could be a serious contender to adding Ron-Ron. It'd be the ultimate FULL CIRCLE moment that the NBA desperately needs, lol.

[SacKingZZZ]

I don't see the Pistons trading Prince for Artest.

[Ballings7]

Neither do I. Nor would it make sense for us (basically Josh Howard part two, for us). I would definitely watch Detroit some more, though.

Also, let's continue to sway (if not stay) away from Barbosa and Diaw, please. Plus Phoneix has Hill/Barnes at SF now.