Ron Artest in Silver and Black

[MoSpur]

I would start him over Finley. A starting lineup of Duncan, Oberto, Artest, Bowen, and Parker.

[Brutalis]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi...g_in_on_artest/

February 20, 2008 - 4:59 pm
Sacramento Bee -
According to the Sacramento Bee the Spurs are closing in on a deal for Ron Artest.

The Spurs would send the expiring contracts of Francisco Elson and Brent Barry for Artest and possibly include a draft pick.

It is also believed, however, that Denver may be ready to part ways with Linas Kleiza for Artest.

Houston also reportedly had conversations with the Kings about Artest.

[ThomasGranger]

Artest (likely) won't be here next year.

Agreed. Which is why I hope the Spurs don't offer too much (i.e. more than Barry, Elson and picks) to get him.

[Holt's Cat]

I just don't want him to come over here and up the chemistry.

Chemistry? This isn't 10th grade.

Popd@mn.

Elements don't win championships. The mentally ill do!

[Brutalis]

Yeah he sat on the bench for an entire year though. Artest (likely) won't be here next year.

If he is traded here I bet he will stay here.

He won't take a cut, but he has so much respect for TD and once he experiences winning ways I truly believe he'd stay.

[Mister Sinister]

If we *do* get Artest, and he *does* behave, I'll welcome him.

[Mister Sinister]

Chemistry? This isn't 10th grade.

Popd@mn.

Elements don't win championships. The mentally ill do!

My large supply of Artestium disagrees with you.

[ThomasGranger]

This whole thing will probably go down like some stupid ebay auction--somebody's going to swoop in at the last second and overbid.

[Que Gee]

If Artest comes, I don't think he'd start at first because the Spurs don't hand newcomers starting spots (don't point out Damon, Tony was hurt).

But if the Spurs want to go small against teams, they can just start him at PF. The Spurs bigs suck anyway.

Eventually, Manu/Bowen could start with Fin/Artest off the bench. Or they can move Manu back to the bench in favor of Artest.

I am still not sold that the deal will get done, because I think Denver will eventually give up Kleiza. Unfortunately for the Spurs, a broken down Barry and bad player in Elson might not be enough to get the deal done. Maybe they'd throw in Mahinmi or Splitter, who knows.

Artest will stay where he is...But looks like the Celts might pick up the Hawks pieces from the Bibby trade from Sac.

[SenorSpur]

hoopsworld:

The Denver Nuggets remain engaged in trade negotiations with the Sacramento Kings. As of Wednesday morning, the Nuggets had been reluctant to part with Linas Kleiza. However, according to a league source, the Nuggets are now "strongly considering" giving up Kleiza in a deal for Artest.
The source indicated that the San Antonio Spurs have now entered the bidding offering a package of Francisco Elson, Brent Barry and multiple draft picks. The Spurs late interest may have encouraged Denver to consider upping the ante in their pursuit of Artest.

Despite Denver's ongoing interest in Artest, Memphis' Mike Miller has been Denver's number one target from the start. However, one source stated that Miller has "been pulled off the table." The Nuggets made an effort to get him, but it appears they are going to come up short in their pursuit.

If Miller is indeed off the table as league sources have indicated, Artest is the last big name in play for the Nuggets. The argument being made by members of Denver's front office is that Artest is a great player, and if the Nuggets can get a great player by giving up complementary pieces, it's a move they have to get done if they can. It's not that people in Denver don't think highly of Kleiza, but at the end of the day he's currently a backup small forward. The thinking is that if Denver has to give up a couple of reserves and a draft pick to get a player of Artest's caliber, it's a deal they have to get done if they can.

As of this moment, no deal is imminent. And in addition to the Spurs, the Houston Rockets are also believed to be looking into the possibility of acquiring Artest. However, the Nuggets appear to be putting on one last full-court press in an effort to win the Artest sweepstakes.

Stay tuned to HOOPSWORLD for the latest.

ESPN's Ric Bucher was on NBA Coast to Coast on Tuesday night. He stated that Memphis has indeed pulled Miller off the table, as they have NO intention of trading him at this time.

Never say never, right!

[coachmac87]

go get em RC

what would artest number be???

[ThomasGranger]

ESPN's Ric Bucher was on NBA Coast to Coast on Tuesday night. He stated that Memphis has indeed pulled Miller off the table, as they have NO intention of trading him at this time.

Christmas only comes around once a year.

[MoSpur]

This whole thing will probably go down like some stupid ebay auction--somebody's going to swoop in at the last second and overbid.

One of the most clever things I've heard in a long time.

[nbrans]

Source: Artest Will Stay with Kings

Posted: 2/20/2008 11:35:00 AM
Source: Denver Post

Sacramento's Ron Artest is a possibility for Denver. But a source close to Artest said Denver has yet to contact Artest's management. And the source said his gut says Artest will remain with the Kings, notably because Artest can option out of his contract at season's end.

That said, Denver does have lucrative pieces for Sacramento, notably the budding youngster Linas Kleiza, an expiring contract in Eduardo Najera's and a 2008 first-round draft pick.

Just to be clear, the timestamp on this one is earlier than the one on the Bee update that talked about the Spurs trade. 11:35 Mountain (10:35 Pacific) compared to 12:22 Pacific. The Bee update is the most recent.

[Holt's Cat]

So Artest's camp hasn't spoken with the Nuggets. How about the Spurs?



Anyways, the upside of keeping Artest through the end of the season is that he opts out and then someone like Zeke overbids for him (always seems to happen in free agency - see Kapono, Jason) and sends back some nice pieces (say a David Lee and an unprotected pick of some variety) for Artest. The downside is that even Zeke can figure it out and Artest ends up with someone for some part of their MLE.

This is presumably the last time (assuming Artest opts out) that the Kings can with certainty get something in return for Artest. I think this is a fair indicator of the interest around the league in him today (expiring contracts and low picks).

[Ghost Writer]

So Artest's camp hasn't spoken with the Nuggets. How about the Spurs?



Anyways, the upside of keeping Artest through the end of the season is that he opts out and then someone like Zeke overbids for him (always seems to happen in free agency - see Kapono, Jason) and sends back some nice pieces (say a David Lee and an unprotected pick of some variety) for Artest. The downside is that even Zeke can figure it out and Artest ends up with someone for some part of their MLE.

This is presumably the last time (assuming Artest opts out) that the Kings can with certainty get something in return for Artest. I think this is a fair indicator of the interest around the league in him today (expiring contracts and low picks).

Good points.

And, yes, all my haters, I did not initially think of the whole sign-and-trade aspect, which is very nice.

You know Zeke and the Knicks covet Artest and can be pimped this summer.

[Gino2882]

This sounds to good to be true. I mean seriously guys. Would anyone here SERIOUSLY not trade Barry and Elson for Ron Artest? I mean come on. Artest would put this team over the top, and doesnt Artest like Tim Duncan and respect him?

I think if your the Spurs you have to do this.

[Holt's Cat]

Good points.

And, yes, all my haters, I did not initially think of the whole sign-and-trade aspect, which is very nice.

You know Zeke and the Knicks covet Artest and can be pimped this summer.

And I'm sure the Kings are aware of that as well. So it's not just the Nuggets the Spurs are competing with.

[nbrans]

Looks like the Spurs are messing with people. Latest from Sam Amick:

(2:49 p.m.)
Someone within the Spurs organization is steering folks astray, as it now seems as if that situation may not exist. It never made sense as it was, and wasn't anything close to a deal the Kings would consider. All is quiet at the moment, and my Denver source says if the Nuggets had relented on Linas Kleiza then the deal would be done.

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

[Holt's Cat]

CIA? But why?

Misdirection.

[dg7md]

We HAVE to do this. Elson and Barry for Artest is pretty much a low-risk trade.

[Kori Ellis]

Looks like the Spurs are messing with people. Latest from Sam Amick:

(2:49 p.m.)
Someone within the Spurs organization is steering folks astray, as it now seems as if that situation may not exist. It never made sense as it was, and wasn't anything close to a deal the Kings would consider. All is quiet at the moment, and my Denver source says if the Nuggets had relented on Linas Kleiza then the deal would be done.

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

He's right about that part. The Kings would want more than Barry/Elson. They would need Mahinmi, Splitter, Udoka, cash, more picks, something. Barry and Elson plus just a couple picks seems low compared to what other teams could/would offer.

[ChumpDumper]

We must be getting Miller then.

[Kori Ellis]

We must be getting Miller then.

That would be funny. But my guess is that they get a big.

[Indazone]

Kings annouce last-minute trade with Spurs

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008 5:20 pm EST
Word has leaked of a huge trade between the Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs. Talks between the Kings and Nuggets apparently broke down this morning. The Spurs will receive small forward Ron Artest, while the Kings will gain Brent Barry, one other undisclosed expiring contract, and San Antonio's 1st Round picks for 2008 and 2010.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Arghhh!! you guys suck!