I like Howard better than Artest but only because of Artests personal issues. Artest is a much better player. We need a SF that can shoot the three. Smith is a good rebounder and is athletic but not a great shooter and not a playmaker. Even worse than most small forwards. His steal rate is very bad. Personally, I would MUCH rather trade for Caron Butler. He is the same age as Josh Smith but is better in just about every category: steals (2.1 pg), playmaking (4.9 apg), shooting % AND 3-pt shooting. I realize the Wizards may not want to trade him as they shouldn’t but Josh Smith, while a slight improvement over Artest ONLY in off-court issues (maybe), is just not an improvement. He doesn’t shoot threes great, does not set up his teamates and is not a great defender team or otherwise.

I think this is a terrific idea from a number of angles. First off, Dallas doesn’t really need to negotiate a new contract with Ron, in fact it’s better for them they don’t as a matter of fact, but the truth is that if this rumor persists, it may convince Ron that he has a suitor out there that will pay him the 10 mil plus he’s been seeking.

I think it’s quite simple. The deal makes sense. Howard brings alot of things, but clearly isn’t the 2nd banana that Dallas needs. Artest is the type of player that will help Dallas in a variety of ways, and given their early exit, help them with a number of problematic matchup’s across the board, and because of Carlisle’s presence be a far stronger candidate to win games in the playoff’s in 2009. This is also perhaps the last of a grab move for Dallas to win that coveted brass ring. One of the problems Dallas has is they can’t matchup Dirk with anyone defensively out west. In fact they never have. Because of this difficult detail it has come with great difficulty whom they decide is the best opponent for Dirk defensively. Howard, while not the defender Artest, is a plus defender, and will automatically become the best board man on the Kings the moment he steps on the court. Much ado will be made about the pot, and that’s just much ado. Noone in everyday America doesn’t know people, or done so themselves, who don’t smoke/inhale pot. That’s just the reality of things. Besides that’s baggage that will make Josh Howard a welcome sight in Sacramento. The other real problem about Howard is that he’s older than most 5 year players in the current NBA. So, partly, this gives the chance for the Kings to move on from Artest without mortgaging a huge chunk of the future for a player who isn’t drawing a superstar salary without the obligation.

The best part about this deal is that Howard’s value is roughly near the same as Caron Butler (who won’t be traded to le Bullets, and while not the playmaker Caron Butler is, is certainly far more avaluable, and the bonus part is that Artest can fit far greater in Dallas’ new system than anything he could bring to Washington. (I think the Bullet’s perspective is quite simple. They aren’t great rebounding, and you need more than 2 defenders in the starting lineup to greatly diminish the amount of points allowed.)

Btw, dalt, I think you’re talking about Josh Howard, but I agree that Josh Smith isn’t the answer for the Kings either.

Ron Artest getting his Angela Tsai on for the Monarchs is the real story. Granted it still won’t get me to watch the WNBA, it’s just hilarious.

Oh and I’m all for trading for Josh Howard (surprise!)

brandon bass has alot of potential, he was a very solid post-season player

anyone?

Does this mean the season of wild and crazy and ridiculous and stupid and indefensible trade rumors/ideas is upon us?

I LOVE this time of year!

Okay, okay… so D’antoni wants barbosa and Diaw, the Suns need a small forward….