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Interesting if he opts out
his agent said that they will look at an mle deal
i take him without thinking , he seems to be mature and professional now
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?STORY_ID=9099
Rumors: Artest Considering Opt-Out?
By: Eric Pincus
RUMOR HAS IT…
Today's section is geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating around the NBA …
Opting Out? Multiple sources tell HOOPSWORLD that Ron Artest is seriously considering opting out of the final year of his contract. Artest can stick with the Sacramento Kings for one final year at $7.4 million or choose to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Should Artest choose to opt out, he would likely look for a full Mid Level Exception (MLE) deal with a championship contender such as the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs or even the New Orleans Hornets.
The current MLE starts at $5.356 million. While it may climb slightly, Artest is said to be open to the idea of a five-year, $31 million contract. One source says Artest believes he's worth far more than that, but is coming to grips with the NBA's tightening economic climate.
Very few teams have cap room this summer. Unless the Kings are willing to give Artest a long-term extension, he'd be in a similar situation next year. There may be a few more teams with space, but there's a high probability they're unwilling to spend it on a player with such a "difficult" reputation.
Artest has somewhat avoided trouble in Sacramento but he did have numerous run-ins with Coach Reggie Theus this past season.
If Artest embraces the notion that he may never get a deal larger than the MLE, he may forgo the additional ~$2.1 million to stay with the Kings and lock in as much long term money as he can this summer.
The Spurs are said to have tremendous interest. The talent alongside the big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili is waning. Artest would give San Antonio a worthy successor to the 37-year old Bruce Bowen.
It's a little trickier with the Lakers considering the contracts they have committed to Vladimir Radmanovic and Luke Walton. Since neither has made a particularly high impact this season, LA may be open to the idea despite the financial repercussions.
Coach Phil Jackson has always been interested in Artest. Imagine the team currently playing in the NBA Finals with the addition of Artest along with the return of Andrew Bynum. Artest also has a strong relationship with both Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom.
It's difficult to say if the Hornets would have interest. They need a shooting guard but creative lineups with Peja Stojakovic and Artest could bolster their chances in the Western Conference.
As far as the potential for a sign and trade, the Kings aren't going to take in any players or salary they don't covet. To acquire a risky player like Artest, few teams are going to give up choice assets to make tempt Sacramento into a deal.
Multiple sources are clear that Artest hasn't yet decided. He's waffled back and forth on this one even before the regular season came to a close.
His ultimate decision could have a major impact on next year's playoff picture.
Elton Staying or Going? Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers is another player with a big decision looming. He can invoke his early termination option and forgo the final $16.4 million he's set to earn next season.
It appears unlikely that Brand would be able to recoup that full amount on the open market, but he may look to move on from a team that peaked two seasons ago.
The question that Brand has to consider carefully is where exactly can he go to get paid?
Very few teams have cap room. The Golden State Warriors might if Baron Davis opts out and the team lets Andris Biedrins walk, but that appears unlikely. Even if Monta Ellis re-signed, Brand might be better off in LA.
The Charlotte Bobcats can only get under the cap by renouncing the rights to (or trading) Emeka Okafor.
The Grizzlies do have cap room but after trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers, they don't exactly appear close to putting together a championship contender.
The only way the Miami HEAT can get under the cap is if Shawn Marion opts out. If he does, Brand is said to have serious interest in Miami.
Seattle has a little bit of cap space but not enough for Brand. It would take both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison walking from the Wizards to create cap space in Washington.
The one team that looks like a viable destination would be the Philadelphia 76ers. They should have slightly over $11 million in space. The Sixers are coming off a bounce-back season with their impressive (albeit losing) playoff performance against the Detroit Pistons.
In the end, Brand and his agent David Falk need to decide if it's worth leaving LA to lock in a long-term deal - or just finish out his contract and wait for a better market. An extension with the Clippers is not out of the question, but Brand wants to make sure he's best in a position to win as well as get paid.
Clippers: Of course the Clippers want to keep both Elton Brand and Corey Maggette. They have a better shot to do so than either player might have thought going into the offseason.
Cap room is scarce and the Clippers are only going to sign and trade Maggette if they get the perfect return. LA is desperate for a point guard and has some long term concerns at shooting guard. They may answer one of those needs in the upcoming draft.
The Clippers will not extend a $5.8 million qualifying offer to Shaun Livingston who is still recovering from knee surgery. Should they lose all three, LA would stand to have more cap room than just about any team in the league.
In addition to a core of Chris Kaman, Al Thornton and the seventh pick in the draft, LA could have about $25 million in space if both Brand and Maggette simply walk away from the Clippers.
It's the plan of last resort but the rebuilding effort would get a jump start from free agents desperately looking for teams with cap room.
Interesting if he opts out
his agent said that they will look at an mle deal
i take him without thinking , he seems to be mature and professional now
this would be perfect if he's really looking for an MLE deal.
but, it's a hoopsworld article so it's probably just garbage.
sign his ass up!
Sure, why not.
Hoopsworld. The National Enquirer of the basketball world.
How old is Artest? I thought he was over 30 as well?
He's said he'd like to play with Kobe--and the Lakers can afford whatever the cost in luxury taxes.
But we ought to make an offer. I didn't think we should take him, but I've changed my mind. He seems to have been taking his meds this year. :-)
Almost. Give years at his age may not be wise, though the MLE isn't a ton of money.
The residue on the toilet paper from my morning bowel movement has more credible NBA news than Hoopsworld does.
He's 28 so i honestly wouldn't mind giving him the MLE with a 5 year deal. It'd definitely be a gamble considering he'd be 33/34 at the end of his contract... but the guy is in incredible physical shape...the biggest worry is obviously the voices inside his head.
He needs more than meds...but the Spurs need more than Barry, Jacque, and Ime off the bench.
some quotes of ron artest's agent
Amick: And what if the only guarantee you have is that he'll be paid $7.4 million next year and have no indication beyond that point?
Stevens: Ron is thankful to the Maloofs. It's their right to say $7.4 million is what we're prepared to pay you, and let's talk next summer. And if that is said, then that's the decision that Ron has to make - what does he want to do? If they say that, it's a decision him and his family have to make.
If you look at the market, there's only four teams, five teams maybe, that have the ability to pay him (what he is hoping to make). If he opts out, it's obvious we're looking at a midlevel exception deal (approximately $6 million per season). The good thing is, everybody knows where everybody's at. Ron fully understands that if he opts out, he runs the risk of Sacramento saying, 'OK, opt out, you can leave and we won't get nothing for you or we can do a sign and trade.' Or Ron runs the risk of knowing he's open to the free market and he might get midlevel exception. All the cards are definitely on the table...You have to make a decision and live with it.
Bring Ron-Ron. He's great. At least he's not that old.
The money is there...i just wonder what Pop and RC think of Ron and if they're seriously considering this. I also wonder how true the rumors are of the Spurs going after him around the trade deadline.
No, thanks. Ron-Ron is crazy
He might be a worthwhile gamble.
But I would not touch him for 5 years.
Maybe a 1 or 2 year contract might be enticing to him as he could showcase himself on a Championship contender and raise his value above MLE status.
Sure. As long as he doesn't eat somebody.
Sign him up..He's still 28 and already on top of his game altough his head sometimes crack up. Thats a no brainer decision. With TD, TP,Manu,Artest...Bowen can retire if he wants or still be on roster as he wish. Who knows Udoka will improve even more next year? I also got high hope for Ian Mahinmi. Fans will got no heart attack this time...Championship is assured!!!
If its true...SIGN HIM UP!!!!!
PG-Parker
SG-Ginobili
SF-Artest
PF-Duncan
C-Oberto
thats scary good
Also Artest has mad respect for Duncan
hopefully, if the FO does take a look at him, he won't be the first option. he's good, but he does have some heavy luggage. nevertheless, if the spurs manage to land him, gaddam!
With all the talk about whether JR Smith is worth the risk, isn't Artest in that same boat? IYO, how does the risk stack up between the two? And do the two different skill sets make either more or less worth the risk?
Or at least scary.
Artest, although insane, doesn't seem the kind to demand to be top dog. He's aggressive, emotionally needy, but doesn't need to be the focus or leader. If anything he's the bloodthirsty lieutenant type very happy to take orders. That may be one of his problems so far: there's never been a leader to fall behind. Not Adelman, not Bibby, not Jermaine O'Neal, nobody. Duncan and Pop would be guys he'd happily serve.
if its between smith and artest, i'll go with artest. he provides more flexibility at the frontcourt not to mention a much needed boost on rebounding.
Artest does a whole of a lot besides hit three pointers. He has game-winning capabilities all by himself, where a jumpshooter can only get hot in streaks. He's a dominant defender and one of the top players in the game. JR Smith is none of these things. There's risk in both cases, but for the same money the reward is far higher in the case of Artest.
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