If you'd a choice... UFA R. Wallace or UFA Artest?

[Avalanche]

Sheed will either retire, be a Cav, a Celtic or a Spur IMO... though i think the main reason he was going to cleveland if he got bought out was because big ben had called him, and asked him to do it with him being out injured (or something along those lines)

If Cleveland manages to add him, and we go another swing and miss in the off-season i wont be happy

[cisco]

I don't want either. I'd rather sign McDyess or like someone suggested, Warrick.

Rasheed plays when he feels like it (and sometimes he doesn't feel like playing in the playoffs!) Ron Artest is an azz and a loser. Besides, he won't agree to come off the bench behind Pierce. I remember him saying he wanted to be the focal point of the offense so he could command a max contract like Kobe, Pierce, etc. No thanks.

McDyess would be a better fit than Rasheed. McDyess plays hard all the time and rebounds his butt off.

[Avalanche]

Sheed packed it in when Chauncey was traded... then he asked for a buy out and got refused, he had given up on the pistons.. if hes given up on the game he will retire, if not, if anyone can get him focussed its KG and Doc

Artest is no loser, and hes doing well in the playoffs so far about to knock off the blazers... he also had a stretch where he had no issue coming off the bench in houston while the coach experimented with starting mcgrady/battier

[campybatman]

The only thing that could puzzle me about Cleveland possibly having an interest in Wallace or vise versa. Where does this leave Varejao should he decide to opt out after this season? I know enough of you see him as a douche bag and for good reason. But, imagine if he were an option for Boston. Would you consider him or no? If it means helping toward winning next season, then I can look pass his moments of douche baggery against Boston.

[Avalanche]

for those against bringing in artest... i hope you watched tonights game.. we need someone there to back up ray and paul (and kg occasionally) that we can rely on, and that can make stops

[campybatman]

This writer makes a valid point. Could Artest be an one-year rental? I would take that and take my chances at attempting to resign him to a longterm deal thereafter, if I'm Ainge. For Boston, it works out either way in that situation. Worst case scenario, you've Ray, Pierce (early termination clause) and Artest as free agents in 2010. From that, the only high salary left is Garnett's contract. If Pierce doesn't exercise that option. You still have some flexibility from Ray's expiring contract.

While everyone is concerned with the Summer of 2010 and the economy, the real people that should be worried are the free agents this summer. Not only will teams be trying to save their money for the following year, but with the possibility of a smaller salary cap, they’re going to be less likely to invest big money and long term.

With that in mind, the following unrestricted free agents should be very worried: Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Andre Miller, Lamar Odom, Rasheed Wallace, Mike Bibby, Drew Gooden, Ben Gordon and Stephon Marbury.

As wallets stay closed, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of these guys sign one-year deals with contenders, making for a very interesting 2009-2010 season, and an even more interesting summer in 2010 when they would join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd on the open market.

http://dimemag.com/2009/02/2009-free-ag ... be-scared/

[sully00]

Yeah and I would like it to be someone who can shoot. Ron Ron isn't backing up anyone.

I will take Sideshow Bob in a minute.

I am also bigger on grabbing Dyess than just about anyone but dude has said no 3 times you show him to me in a green jersey and I will be thrilled but I am not waiting for him.

[sully00]

Shawn Marion wouldn't suck I can tell you that same for Odom.

[campybatman]

So, much for that rumor.

Sorry to spoil another rumor with the truth.

Contrary to published reports out of Cleveland, Rasheed Wallace never approached Joe Dumars about a buyout.

Could you imagine? Here's Wallace, struggling most of the season, missing 11 games with a calf injury, coming into Dumars' office and saying, "Joe, I need you to buy me out so I can finish the season with the Cavs. You know, help LeBron get that 'ship."

Sure, anything you want.

Wallace, as Dumars confirmed through e-mail Tuesday, wouldn't be that bold, or stupid.

That said, one of Wallace's running bits in the locker room was to wish out loud for a buyout. It started when the Pistons signed Chris Webber a couple years ago after he'd been bought out by Philadelphia.

Wallace would always say, "Damn, I wish somebody would buy me out."

It was a joke. He was envious of Webber getting all his money from the 76ers and another check from the Pistons on top of it.

Now, the other part of the Cleveland report -- that the Cavaliers will consider signing Wallace this summer -- is true.

Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry loves big men who can shoot from the perimeter. He would love to have Wallace spotted up when LeBron James draws double- and triple-teams.

http://detnews.com/article/20090429/OPI ... d-a-buyout

[campybatman]

Wow. Artest believes that Roy is the best player (offensively) that he has ever defended. Better than both Kobe and LeBron. I don't know if that's a compliment to Roy or a slight against Kobe and LeBron. Perhpas, Artest thinks he knows how to guard them better than he can guard Roy. Man, Boston has to get Artest... I'm not a huge fan but I like players who like to play defense. And he's one of the better ones in the league.



Wiretap

"Roy is probably the best player I've played against," said Artest. "He's the best shooting guard, not on defense now, defense is kind of suspect, but he's the best player I've played against."

Artest was then asked if he thinks Roy is better than LeBron James or Kobe Bryant.

"He's the best player I've played against," said Artest.

[sunshinekids99]

I'd love to get Rasheed in town, if he knew his role as a 6th man. He's a big that can hit an outside shot. He knows how to win. And while he's a bit crazy, I think KG could control him. Artest, while a very gifted player I just don't trust him.

[campybatman]

But, you trust a player who basically quit on his fans and team in the playoffs this year. He knew that Detroit didn't have a real chance of upsetting Cleveland so he doesn't try anyways. That's always been one of the knocks on Wallace. He's a tremendous talent but seems content with being the second or third best player on the team. I mean he certainly has the talent to be the top player on his team, but simply plays too indifferently. Yes, Artest can be a headache for any head coach, but he plays hard, perhaps to a fault, whether you [fans] like him or not.

I remember there was a game in Boston this season where Artest was less than 100% but played because he wanted to guard Pierce. Houston won the game.