Ron Artest set for deal to Rockets (w/link)

GhostRaider2007 · Post #1 » by **GhostRaider2007** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:10 am

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5914062.html

In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise.

In a stunning move designed to push the Rockets from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contenders, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with the Sacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal.

The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not be immediately reached for comment.

Because of contract considerations, the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14, though that would indicate the deal could include Rockets’ first round draft pick Donte’ Green. Green is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with the Rockets.

There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.

Artest, 28, is considered one of the NBA’s most unpredictable characters and was the central figure in a 2004-05 brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich. He is also considered among the league’s toughest lock-down defenders and sometimes, an unstoppable offensive force.

The 39 points he scored against the Rockets in 2006-07 season are his career high.

A 6-7, 248 pound forward, he had publicly lamented his decision last month not to opt out of the last season of his contract to become a free agent, renewing the Kings’ efforts to move him.

Artest played 40 games for Rockets coach Rick Adelman after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Kings in the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also a first-team NBA All-Defensive team selection. He offered to donate his salary if the Kings were willing to retain Adelman after that season.

In nine NBA seasons out of St. John’s, where he was a third-team All-American, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was the 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season.

Artest, however, has been unable to stay clear from trouble. He was arrested in March 2007 and charged with domestic abuse and eventually sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. That sentence was reduced to 10 days in a work release program. He had also been charged with animal neglect, though charges were not filed and Artest has since worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on several campaigns.

In addition to his 73-game suspension after going into the stands in the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl (the longest suspension in NBA history other than for drug policy violations or gambling), he has been suspended for destroying a television camera in New York, for an altercation with then Heat coach Pat Riley in Miami and for numerous flagrant fouls.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he was traded in 2002 to the Pacers, having some of his best seasons, including his one All Star season in 2003-04. Prior to the fight in 2004, he was suspended for two games for asking for a month off to promote an R&B album by a group on his production label.

After his return to the Pacers the season after the fight, he asked for a trade and was placed on the inactive roster.

Though Artest has been best used as a small forward, Rockets forward Shane Battier is also considered among the league’s best players at defending small forwards and shooting guards. But because Artest can defend players from small guards to power forwards, the Rockets could finish games with Artest and Battier on the court together, either with Tracy McGrady sliding over to point guard or with Artest matching up with power forwards.

LOOSH · Post #2 » by **LOOSH** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:14 am

I'm guessing the Rockets bit the bullet and took Kenny Thomas.

magicfan4life05 · Post #3 » by **magicfan4life05** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:14 am

wowwwwwww

this puts up in top 3 for sure imo

fivas14 · Post #4 » by **fivas14** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:14 am

They still wont get out of the first round.

Post #5 » by **dockingsched** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:15 am

did you quote the article? link isn't working so i want to assume that your post is the article and go with it.

wfiles · Post #6 » by **wfiles** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:16 am

Wow. Houston is the best in the west now.

GhostRaider2007 · Post #7 » by **GhostRaider2007** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:17 am

link is still working for me but to answer your question yes that is the entire article:

Try this link:

http://www.chron.com

Right now the story is on the front page of the Houston Chronicle website.

Post #8 » by **miller31time** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:18 am

dcash4 wrote:did you quote the article? link isn't working so i want to assume that your post is the article and go with it.

Link works for me.

Anyway, this is a very interesting trade. Though it all really depends on A) if the Kings also send out Kenny Thomas in the deal and B) if the "player to be named" is Donte Greene.

If both are true, then I could see this being pretty good for both squads. My only reservation for the Rockets is that they now have 3 starting/star-caliber small forwards in McGrady, Battier and Artest. Shane Battier can masquerade as a shooting guard but one of those three will have to take on a reduced role.

TradeMachine · Post #9 » by **TradeMachine** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:21 am

Wonder who the mystery player is. Aaron Brooks, or Greene perhaps? Has Donte signed his contract yet? Does this make Battier expendable?

Post #10 » by **KF10** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:22 am

Yeah, I agree with miller31time. Those options are significant. But a Artest/Battier covering (double teaming) a superstar i.e Kobe, Lebron, Wade and etc. Damn, one of the best defensive duos I seen recent years.

Post #11 » by **CBS7** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:23 am

All 3 can play SG. Nothing wrong with having a 3 wing rotation of Battier/McGrady/Artest, with McGrady and Artest getting 34 mpg each and Battier getting 28 mpg.

Or they could move Battier.

Yao_noodle · Post #12 » by **Yao_noodle** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:23 am

If KT is added, Rockets would have to add TMAC or Yao or Battier+Rafer or just suicide.

GhostRaider2007 · Post #13 » by **GhostRaider2007** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:23 am

TradeMachine wrote:Has Donte signed his contract yet?

Yes he has.

Post #14 » by **dockingsched** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:24 am

link works, thanks for the responses. if battier were to be available, whats the need?

Yao_noodle · Post #15 » by **Yao_noodle** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:28 am

They need a scoring, athletic PG. can Battier get them one?

Lakers_4_Life · Post #16 » by **Lakers_4_Life** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:30 am

Wow that's absolutely huge for Houston.

PG Alston/Francis/Brooks
SG McGrady/Barry/Head
SF Artest/Battier/Novak
PF Scola/Landry/Hayes
C Yao/Mutombo/Dorsey

That's one hell of damn scary roster.

DynastySS · Post #17 » by **DynastySS** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:31 am

FIrst off...YES!!!!!

Secondly, Battier is going no where. Ron Ron is basically a free one year rental. Battier is on contract, so they are not going to trade Battier and have Ron Ron walk away in a year, leaving the Rockets without a defender or SF.

DDV · Post #18 » by **DDV** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:31 am

at least something pretty bigs happening

been quiet a hell since the draft with trades

that many teams are content with there roster?

Post #19 » by **TMACFORMVP** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:32 am

Wow, I've wanted Artest ever since last season.

magicfan4life05 · Post #20 » by **magicfan4life05** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:34 am

Kings To Acquire Ron Artest
More Rockets News

The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement to acquire forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... on_artest/

second time is always the charm!!