Reply With Quote
If he'd be willing to behave in SA, I'd welcome him...but I don't see that happening too soon.
Nothing but a rumor source but I don't have ESPN Insider to read the article it's based on.
Can anyone help?
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/...nt-ron-artest/
Spurs Want Ron Artest?
For the next four days, you will be assaulted with rumors -- some seemingly ridiculous and some as brilliant as diamonds (or at least cubic zirconium). Consider this ESPN/Chad Ford joint (In$ider, natch) a warning volley:
Believe it or not, Ron Artest's name has come up in San Antonio. Some believe that given the team's system, he can be controlled and would give them more toughness on the wing, where Bruce Bowen is slowing down.
Ford goes on to mention Stephen Jackson was once a starter for a San Antonio le team. (He neglects this was before Jack's major reputation hits with Indiana; he also fails to mention Jackson has been lauded as a teammate in every town, while Ron-Ron... yeah, not so much.)
You'd think Sacramento would jump at an expiring contract (San Antonio always has plenty) and either Ian Mahinmi or the rights to Tiago Splitter; whether the Spurs count the loss of either as worthy risk for a six-month rental of Artest is questionable. Of course, given last year's surprisingly compe ive first-round matchup with Denver, and also considered Denver appears to be the leading contender for Artest's services... it might serve as a doubled victory to sew Ron-Ron up before the trade deadline. In a world where the Phoenix Suns trade for Shaquille O'Neal, I suppose you just never know.
If he'd be willing to behave in SA, I'd welcome him...but I don't see that happening too soon.
I'm for Ron, crazy or uncrazy. We would be un able.
Anyone got Insider?
Post the article please.
down down do ya thang do ya thang...
down down do ya thang do ya thang...
to the right right right, to the left left left...
walk it by yourself and walk it by yourself...
As long as we'd have someone to monitor his daily medication, we'd have the best lock down perimeter defense in the playoffs
IME, Bruce, Ron-Ron
Wow. I would like it. I think we'll just make him hang around at Drob's house the whole time he's here. Brent Barry would go I know for sure. Who else?
Sounds good to me....another great defender and I think Pop could get him to behave for a few months. Ship Barry out.
Not only on defense. He could be our fourth scorer as well in some stretches, because of his size.
And he respects both Timmy and Manu (although I do remember when he was head-hunting on Manu in the '06 series) but still he gave Manu props during the series.
I also remember Pop tried to talk to him on the side during those playoffs, "use your head" so even if it's a gamble, maybe Pop can get his attention and respect.
Barry/Elson works according to the realgm checker. I imagine we'd have to throw in a 1st round pick as well.
I just hope he doesn't take too many ill advised shots. His D is always great, and he can def. score, but sometimes he can be a black hole on offense.
Anyways, I doubt this trade will happen anyway, Denver probably has the more attractive pieces.
But I would totally welcome him to SA if this was even a possibility
Shaquille O'Neal. Shawn Marion. Pau Gasol. Mike Bibby. And now Jason Kidd (almost). All traded this month.
And don't forget last summer, when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, among others, moved in blockbuster trades.
But there's no time for us to catch our breath, because the trade deadline is only three days away, with no sign that the NBA's 30 teams are done dealing.
GMs are burning up the phone lines. Trade talk was flying in New Orleans this weekend. Several top teams are now faced with matching the acquisitions by the Lakers, the Suns and apparently the Mavericks.
Who's left out there? Which teams still want to make a move?
Here's the latest breakdown of which teams might be hoping to make moves before the deadline Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets appear to be the team most likely to make a big trade this week.
Last season, their big move was to acquire Allen Iverson, with the hope that the combo of Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby would be enough to make them compe ive for the Western Conference crown. Now they're fighting just to make the playoffs in the ultracompe ive West.
The Nuggets have been widely rumored to be zeroing in on a Ron Artest deal and have also been looking for a point guard. The names Andre Miller, Delonte West and Kyle Lowry have come up, among others.
The Nuggets' tradable assets include roughly $8 million in expiring contracts, a first-round pick and Linas Kleiza, a young prospect who appeals to a number of teams. While the team would prefer to move Nene or Kenyon Martin as part of a big trade, their contracts look to be deal-killers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland Cavaliers
They have been trying and trying to make a deal happen, but they've been stuck on the sidelines while Mike Bibby and now, it appears, Jason Kidd, have moved to other teams. Meanwhile, LeBron James stews.
Cleveland's problem is plain. They just don't have enough of the assets they need -- expiring contracts, talented young players, multiple draft picks -- to swing a big trade. They have only $6 million (approximately) in expiring contracts, and Daniel Gibson is their only young player coveted by other teams, and he's not available. So while they may keep trying to get their hands on Andre Miller, Kyle Lowry, Javaris Crittenton or just about any other point guard out there with a heartbeat, their chances don't look good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Antonio Spurs
The defending champs added a small piece to the puzzle a few weeks ago when they signed free agent Damon Stoudamire. But is he enough to power the Spurs back into the Finals? The Spurs still need depth at center, at small forward and in the backcourt, and they have roughly $15 million in expiring contracts to move in trades.
Believe it or not, Ron Artest's name has come up in San Antonio. Some believe that given the team's system, he can be controlled and would give them more toughness on the wing, where Bruce Bowen is slowing down. Bringing in Artest may sound far-fetched given the Spurs' emphasis on character and chemistry, but remember that Stephen Jackson was the starting shooting guard for one of the Spurs' recent le teams. If the need is powerful enough, San Antonio will do what it takes to win. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Bulls
What are the Bulls doing? That's one of the questions heard most these days. The team's a mess, and no one knows what their strategy is.
It's no secret that Ben Wallace is available, less than two years after Chicago made him their big catch of 2006. But unless the Bulls are willing to attach Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah to a Wallace trade, it looks unlikely that they'll be able to move him.
The Knicks have shown significant interest in acquiring Wallace, but the Bulls can't be excited about bringing in Quentin Richardson and Malik Rose -- those guys aren't going to put the Bulls over the top.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Utah Jazz
The Jazz already made one significant move this season, sending Gordan Giricek to Philadelphia for sharpshooter Kyle Korver. The team has been on fire since the move, but Utah still might be feeling a little anxious about its chances in the beefed-up West.
Andrei Kirilenko demanded a trade at the start of the season, but has since settled in and played well. Still, given his contract, he's a luxury the Jazz might be willing to move if they were to get back the right pieces for a playoff run. The team would love an athletic center and some overall depth, especially in the backcourt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey Nets
If the Kidd trade finally goes through, only half of Rod Thorn's work will be done: The Nets still need to find a new home for Vince Carter. The problem is that VC's contract is a deal-killer for almost every team in the league -- after this season he has three years and $52 million guaranteed.
The Knicks apparently would be willing to bring on Carter, but New Jersey might not be willing to make a deal with New York. The Nets have been trying to get the Pacers to take Carter for Jermaine O'Neal, but they'd have to find a third team willing to take Carter. The Pacers are trying to reduce payroll, not add to it long-term.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phoenix Suns
Yes, they made their big move, but there are rumblings the Suns aren't done remaking their roster. The team is still looking for a backup point guard and, we're told, a rebounding center to support Shaq. Word is that they're looking at players like Tyronn Lue (who was just traded to Sacramento, but could be repackaged again) and the Pacers' Jeff Foster.
The Suns don't have big expiring contracts, but they do have the Hawks' first-round draft pick this year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami Heat
The Shawn Marion trade may just be the tip of the iceberg for Miami. Pat Riley won't ever move into true rebuilding mode.
He's trying to use the expiring contracts of Jason Williams and Ricky Davis to add a couple of more pieces to the Heat's core. He's been eyeing Mike Miller and Kyle Lowry from Memphis as well as some of the Blazers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Houston Rockets
The Rockets were supposed to be a le contender coming into the season, and maybe they will be. But they are also fighting just to reach the playoffs after a rough start to the season.
The point guard position continues to be a problem, and the team could still use an athletic big man. Unfortunately, the Rockets don't have a lot of trade assets unless they can find a taker for someone like Shane Battier or Rafer Alston.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orlando Magic
They spent a fortune on Rashard Lewis this summer, and they're having a good season. But no one believes Orlando is a serious threat to Boston or Detroit.
That could change if the Magic could land a power forward. They have two similar players in Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu, plus roughly $13 million in expiring contracts and J.J. Re also available if the right deal comes along.
Who would make sense for Orlando? Andrei Kirilenko for Turkoglu and expiring contracts might work for both the Magic and the Jazz.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers could probably leave well enough alone. The team is playing ahead of expectations, and it has a great young core. Next season, with a healthy Greg Oden, the Blazers could be a real threat in the West. But GM Kevin Pritchard has one of the itchiest fingers in the West as well as looming roster issues, and I'm told he's been among the most active GMs on the phones, trying to make something happen.
His goal is to take a number of smaller assets and turn them into core players at point guard and small forward. He made a determined effort to nab Devin Harris from Dallas and also has been in hot pursuit of the Pacers' Danny Granger. He may land neither, but he is ready to give up players like Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, Jarrett Jack and Martell Webster if the right opportunity comes up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston Celtics
Though they have the best record in the league, the Celtics would like to improve their depth, especially at point guard and in the middle.
If the Clippers end up waiving Sam Cassell, he's expected to land in Boston. But the Celtics might not want to take a chance that Cassell remains with the Clippers or is acquired by another team. Unfortunately, the Celtics don't have any major assets they are willing to move, so a meaningful trade is not likely.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memphis Grizzlies
Now that they've moved Pau Gasol, the widespread assumption is that the team is in fire sale mode -- recent scuttlebutt that the team is unlikely to use its salary cap space this summer only feeds the speculation.
Mike Miller has been available for a while, and now it appears the Grizzlies would like to move Kyle Lowry or Javaris Crittenton as well. GM Chris Wallace says he doesn't want to just give away those players for cap space and crappy draft picks. But after the Gasol trade, why should we expect him to hold out for more for Miller or Lowry?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana Pacers
They're in a quandary. They don't want to give Jermaine O'Neal away, but until he can prove that he's healthy, his trade value isn't high enough for the Pacers to get what they think is fair value.
Other teams want Danny Granger and Shawne Williams, but I'm told the Pacers have rebuffed offers for both. That leaves Jeff Foster as perhaps their best trade chip -- a guy with enough size, toughness and rebounding ability to be valuable on a championship-caliber team. The Pacers have shopped Jamaal Tinsley for years, without success.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sacramento Kings
The team is in rebuilding mode, as the Mike Bibby trade showed. Therefore, keeping Ron Artest and the Kings' other veterans wouldn't make a lot of sense.
Artest, Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Brad Miller can be had. Unfortunately, those players -- with the possible exception of Artest -- are hard to move. Thomas has two years and $17 million left on his contract, while Abdur-Rahim has two years and $13 million remaining and Miller has two years and $23 million to go.
Of the four, Artest has the most palatable contract, in part because he can opt out at the end of the season. And Miller's played well enough that the Kings might be able to find a taker.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milwaukee Bucks
With Bucks GM Larry Harris in trouble, no one's sure whether owner Herb Kohl will let him make a deal. If the Bucks are active, don't be surprised if the player moved is Michael Redd. He has a ton of talent, but the three years and $34 million left on his contract are a concern for Milwaukee -- and for potential trade partners as well.
Charlie Villanueva would be easier to move. Yi Jianlian is the future at the 4, so the Bucks should move Villanueva while he still has some value. But the team has been trying to package him with Bobby Simmons -- two years, $20 million remaining -- which is why they haven't found any takers yet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle SuperSonics
The Sonics continue to position for the future, looking to move talented players for expiring contracts and draft picks.
They've received interest in several players, including Kurt Thomas, Delonte West, Chris Wilcox and Johan Petro. Thomas and West have expiring contracts, so they will cost teams an expiring contract back and a first-round pick. The Sonics would consider taking back only expiring contracts for Wilcox and Nick Collison, I'm told.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Knicks
It's fitting to put the Knicks at the bottom of this list, considering they've been offering dead weight like Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph (and even more undesirable players) around the league. So far, no one is biting. To be fair, each player has been hurt by playing value alongside the other, so their trade values might be artificially low.
It doesn't help matters when every team that deals with the Knicks expects them to take back terrible contracts in return. But Isiah Thomas has said he's no longer taking back huge contracts. If that's true, the chances of a big Knicks trade is pretty small unless Thomas decides he's willing to move David Lee or Nate Robinson
That would be awesome... I want to wake up in the morning to the breaking news of Spurs trading for Artest.
Yeah Denver is probably the front runner.
I'm divided, but ultimately would like it. Its just that Artest is a complete mental case.
OMG if that was to happen, think of this defensive unit:
C - Tim
PF - Artest
SF - Udoka
SG - Bowen
PG - Parker/Ginobili
No one could score on them at the Spurs would still have 3 scorers in the lineup.
I wouldn't wan to give up Mahinmi or Splitter for a brief rental of Artest. Artest is not good at team offense, the ball stops in his hands.
I was thinking the same thing...imagine that lineup vs. the Mavs and Celtics especially.OMG if that was to happen, think of this defensive unit:
C - Tim
PF - Artest
SF - Udoka
SG - Bowen
PG - Parker/Ginobili
No one could score on them at the Spurs would still have 3 scorers in the lineup.
Spurs no doubt would be the favorites if they acquired Artest.
Uh... it sounds like he's been reading this board. I doubt the F.O. has brought it up.
Brad Miller
Once Denver gets wind of this, they will relent to their Kleiza package.
Package deal involving Artest and Beano.
hah
Adding Artest would be awesome!
Then we can have Parker and Artest do freestyles after championship rallies.
wow to think
Duncan
Artest
bowen
udoka
all out at the same time
never going to happen though i would love it if it did.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
