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Where did you hear this?
I just heard this.
Where did you hear this?
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5914062.html
In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise.
In a stunning move designed to push the Rockets from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contenders, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with the Sacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal.
The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not be immediately reached for comment.
Because of contract considerations, the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14, though that would indicate the deal could include Rockets’ first round draft pick Donte’ Green. Green is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with the Rockets.
There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.
Artest, 28, is considered one of the NBA’s most unpredictable characters and was the central figure in a 2004-05 brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich. He is also considered among the league’s toughest lock-down defenders and sometimes, an unstoppable offensive force.
The 39 points he scored against the Rockets in 2006-07 season are his career high.
A 6-7, 248 pound forward, he had publicly lamented his decision last month not to opt out of the last season of his contract to become a free agent, renewing the Kings’ efforts to move him.
Artest played 40 games for Rockets coach Rick Adelman after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Kings in the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also a first-team NBA All-Defensive team selection. He offered to donate his salary if the Kings were willing to retain Adelman after that season.
In nine NBA seasons out of St. John’s, where he was a third-team All-American, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was the 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season.
Artest, however, has been unable to stay clear from trouble. He was arrested in March 2007 and charged with domestic abuse and eventually sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. That sentence was reduced to 10 days in a work release program. He had also been charged with animal neglect, though charges were not filed and Artest has since worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on several campaigns.
In addition to his 73-game suspension after going into the stands in the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl (the longest suspension in NBA history other than for drug policy violations or gambling), he has been suspended for destroying a television camera in New York, for an altercation with then Heat coach Pat Riley in Miami and for numerous flagrant fouls.
Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he was traded in 2002 to the Pacers, having some of his best seasons, including his one All Star season in 2003-04. Prior to the fight in 2004, he was suspended for two games for asking for a month off to promote an R&B album by a group on his production label.
After his return to the Pacers the season after the fight, he asked for a trade and was placed on the inactive roster.
Though Artest has been best used as a small forward, Rockets forward Shane Battier is also considered among the league’s best players at defending small forwards and shooting guards. But because Artest can defend players from small guards to power forwards, the Rockets could finish games with Artest and Battier on the court together, either with Tracy McGrady sliding over to point guard or with Artest matching up with power forwards.
SCOLA NOT INVOLVED HAHA
Holy !
"and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name."
Maybe . . . . . . Scola?
Bull.
good move by the Rockets
Wow does Bobby Jackson want to go back to Sactown? And how will Mcgrady, Artest, and Battier going to fit in the lineup. Is another trade 'bout to happen? The other player is probably Luther Head or something.
I don't think it really matters, he knew his expiring contract was going to be dealt in one way or another.
I hope it's Head, god I hope it's him.
Why would they want Artest when they already have Battier? This trade makes no sense.
You can have one head case on your team...just not two. I'm wondering how Rafer and Artest will get along. The trash talking New York boy from the Hood and the other New Yorker from the Hood. They either get along like peas in a pod or they grew up on other side of the blocks wearing the colors of the crips and the bloods.
Battier and Artest..both lock down defenders. Very tough front line. Guards are a bit weak though.
salaries won't match if it's scola. most likely it's donte greene. kind of weird that the kings would trade artest for another expiring contract and a rookie. artest's value is pretty high now and trading him for a number one pick and a rookie is pretty weak.
610 radio just confirmed that the 3rd player is Greene
BJax, future 1st rounder, 1 million in cash, and Greene for Artest? Not a bad day at the office Morey.
It's Donte Green + Jackson for Artest
Good God....Rockets trade away one of the players from their deepest position, an uproven rookie, and a future late first round pick....steal!
Guess the Maloofs just said. Hey do whatever you have to do. Just get Artest off the team.
Bobby Jackson was big in Sacramento and Donte Greene had that huge performance in Summer League...
Still, I think they probably could've gotten more for Artest if they had openly shopped him.
I'm curious to see if HOU is done dealing. They now have Artest, Battier ,and Mcgrady who all play the same position pretty much.
Change the le, Scola is not included.
BJax+1st+Donte Green for Artest
Scola not involved, but yeah!!!
you Mitch Kupchack!
If Odom doesn't work at SF, you are DONE!
I'm not sold on Artest catapulting the Rockets to the next level yet. I'm gonna have to see it with my own eyes.
As far as the Lakers go, I sure hope ing Mitch Kupchak doesn't think we can add Bynum and just win a championship. Get some ing frontcourt depth and deal Odom for a legit SF.
If Artest's head is screwed on straight and T-Mac and Yao are healthy it puts them into the le hunt for next years to come!! damn not that mention that would be one of a defensive team the Rockets would have!!
Houston is good for Artest - Now he can resume his Tru Warrior Label with all the H-Town rappers.
Not to mention being reunited with his old coach Adleman who I think is the only coach who has been able to handle the man so far.
Perhaps this article explains a lot about the trade.
1. Artest represented himself without an agent.
2. Artest continually lamented that Carlisle and Adleman brought out his best.
(Dallas and Houston were probably his only destinations in mind - Perhaps Los Angeles with Phil Jackson and the Black Mamba)
http://www.prosportsdaily.com/forums...d.php?t=245140
"In a way I wish this [coming 2008-09 season] would have been [Theus'] first year and [Adelman] would have left this summer, because it could have showed how much [of] a winner I am. Guys like Rick Adelman and Rick Carlisle [brought] that out of me. Isiah [Thomas] was going to bring that out of me if he didn't get fired [by the Knicks]. A coach like Phil Jackson can bring that out me."
"Reggie more than qualifies," Artest continued. "[But] as much as I have to prove I can win like a Rasheed [Wallace] or [Kevin] Garnett in the first year [with their] respective [new] teams, I can make an argument [that] firing Rick Adelman was not the best thing to do. It put me in a position where I had to start over. The good thing is, I should be in my prime at 32 years old, so I have time and, with faith in God, I can move ahead with progress to reach success."
Last edited by Indazone; 07-29-2008 at 07:58 PM.
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