Spurs Closing In On Artest?

[crc21209]

Kings Blog and Q&A

February 20, 2008
Artest staying...for now
12:22 p.m.
The Spurs may be nearing a deal for Artest, although it's also believed Denver may finally be willing to give up Linas Kleiza. Of course, my flight from Portland to Sacramento is at this very moment, so we'll see where things stand when I land.

(10:40 a.m.):
Add San Antonio to the list of teams that will try to steal Ron Artest.
I don't see Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie biting, but I'm told that the Spurs will (or maybe have) offer the expiring contracts of Francisco Elson and Brent Barry (combined $8.54 million) for Artest. A draft pick would likely be available, too, but this would seem to be yet another low-ball offer as the Kings see it. But if it did happen and Ron was united with the team he demolished in the playoffs two years ago? Oooweee. The rich would be filthy rich...

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/

[spursfan09]

"nearing a deal"

beautiful words.

[celldweller]

Kleiza's Upside To Keep Artest Out Of Denver? (http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/50974/20080220/kleizas_upside_to_keep_artest_out_of_denver/)

Kleiza's Upside To Keep Artest Out Of Denver? February 20, 2008 - 11:17 am http://www.realgm.com/images/nba/4.2/profiles/photos/2006/Artest_Ron_sac.jpgRocky Mountain News -
A Denver source said he would 'bet against' the Nuggets making a trade for Ron Artest (http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile/2/ron_artest/) ahead of Thursday's deadline.

The fact that Artest can opt out after the season and the upside of Linas Kleiza (http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile/1107/linas_kleiza/) makes the trade less tempting to Denver.

"It's kind of flattering," Kleiza said of the trades being discussed that include him. "But you've got to stay focused. There are a lot of rumors. I'm here and hope to stay here a long time." [READ] (javascript:rgmow('/rgmow.php?aid=50974','50974'))

[Cry Havoc]

I love Barry, but getting Artest would mean..... Parker/Bowen/Artest/Duncan/Fabs as a starting lineup, and the occasional HOLY CRAP lineup of Parker/Manu/Bowen/Artest/Duncan when any team tries to go small against us. That's three of the top defensive players in the league, plus a massive defensive playmaker, and the fastest guard to go the other way with the ball.

I would fear no one if we landed Artest (and could keep his head attached to his spinal cord).

[timvp]

Let's keep it in one of the many other Artest threads until something more definite comes out. This report was already posted in this thread:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84027