What about Ron Artest?

[CelticFaninLBC]

Looks like I might have spoken too soon. Yao is probably going to miss all of next season and maybe more.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

Artest is definitely available, but probably have to offer a sign-n-trade.. Let the Rondo & Ray for Artest, Battier and Brooks rumors begin.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

cf do you ever come up with trade ideas or players signing that are even remotely possible? Artest will not take the MLE. There is no chance of that, none whatsoever. Celtics have a 0.00% chance of signing Artest.

Dude is like the Sam Smith of the Cs board.

[Celtics_Champs]

I would like artest on this team. But he'll probably sign somewhere big.

[CelticFaninLBC]

I would like artest on this team. But he'll probably sign somewhere big.

Few teams have cap space and the one's who do probably want someone younger and with less baggage. Detroit's obviously not going to sign Artest after the fiasco several years ago. Memphis has a youth movement. Same for OKC. Portland or Toronto have some cap space, so could make offers. However, it appears Portland wants Turk and they probably don't want to bring in someone who emotional issues, since they've dealt with guys like Sheed, Randolph, Miles, etc. in the past.

[Hemingway]

A few thoughts:

1. Artest will be back for the Rockets. They can pay him more and re a pretty good team. The fact that they are offering Battier only goes to show they are keeping Ron.

2. Yes teams do share revenue at least for merchandise. You can still make the point that hving a star from China is very profitable based on attendance to games and overall interest in the team which while in some aspects is split in others is not. A quick example: If you create die hard fans that translates into better ticket sales when your team winds up in the gutter at some point.

3. Money and China aside you don't trade Ming because there are so few true bigs in the game at a high level.

[TheOGJabroni]

It looks like they are shopping Battier at least a little bit. I wonder if the Rockets would do that same deal with us for Rondo instead of Rubio if they add in a future 1st rounder.

And now that Yao looks to be out for the year or at least most of it you would imagine the Rockets could use some help inside. I'm no good at coming up with new trades (I'll give it a try) but if a third team were to get involved, let's say the Clippers... Could we also get Marcus Camby if we dump a bunch of our players?

Celtics in:
Shane Battier
Aaron Brooks
Marcus Camby
Future 1st Rounder (Houston)

Rockets in:
Glen Davis (S&T)
Ricky Davis
Rajon Rondo
Future 2nd Rounder Protected (Clippers)

Clippers in:
Tony Allen
Chase Budinger
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine

Honestly, I'm not even quite sure if this could happen. It's hard to use to trade checker when players would need a S&T. I'm sure little adjustments could be made but,

Why for the C's:
We get 2 things we really need. A big man who can block shots off the bench (Camby) and a versitaile swing man who can play D and hit the 3 (Battier). Along with this, we get a decent PG prospect in Aaron Brooks who can knock down the 3 off the bench for us and provide energy. Now, we can use the MLE on a starting PG like Jason Kidd.

Why for the Rockets:
Without Yao they aren't going anywhere this year anyway. They were going to make a Battier and Brooks for Rubio deal, so this deal for them is not much different but now they get a sure thing in Rondo and also a big man in Davis to help with the Yao blow and could be their future starting Power Forward.

Why for the Clippers:
Major salary dump. They have a ton of players that demand minutes at the PF and C spots. Getting rid of Camby eases that a little. Davis is useless on their team. They will have to cut a few players for this to happen but they will pretty much get to pick and choose who they want to keep for the future.

(Look for Scal to be bought out and probably even more players that may help the C's)

The C's could sign Scal to a vet. min. deal to play a few minutes off the bench until Leon is healthy.

Our roster immediately after the trade with players ready to go:
Perkins / Camby
KG / Mikki (vet. min.)
Pierce / Walker
Ray / Battier / Hudson
Brooks / Steph (LLE)

Our roster with some possible tweaks (Hopefully Jason Kidd or another vet. Pg for the MLE, a healthy Leon, and at least Scal bought out and brought back for the vet. min.)

Perkins 32 / Camby 16 / Mikki
KG 32 / Powe 16 / Scal
Pierce 32 / Battier 16 / Walker
Ray 32 / Battier 16 / Hudson
Kidd 32 / Brooks 16 / Steph

[CelticFaninLBC]

Even if Houston keeps Artest, they're a lottery team if they deal Battier and Brooks for Rubio. They can compete for an 8 seed if they keep the current roster intact...