I’m not sure you would give scorecards on a bench trial, as what’s currently happening, but it seemed like the Bennett side drew blood in making Seattle mayor, Greg Nickels, look confused on the cross examination.

Reading SuperSonic Soul, the PI, and Tacoma News & Tribune for other details on how the trial is doing.

As far as Hawes being there, and I think it’s interesting, I think it’s a good thing.

First is that Artest is un-predictable. I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it now: We know what Artest will do when June 30th comes & goes. That’s the only way we know what intention he really has.

but Ron and his PR tour of Sacramento has kind of grown on me. I would hate to lose him for nothing but I don’t blame him for opting out. The Kings don’t seem likely to extend him at this point and especially with the 2010 plan in place. Thins team is still a couple of years away and with guys like KG and R. Allen playing for championships in year one for the Celtics is probably appealing. Maybe the Josh Howard talk will warm up, it makes sense for all sides, including Artest.

That he’ll stay. I dont believe he’d continue on his Goodwill tour of Sacramento as of late had he planned on opting out afterall. And I’m sure Petrie and Theus have had very spirited conversations with him due to the impending draft in a week or so.

Especially with the significant free-agent class coming next year, it would be foolish for him to jump ship to a “contender” for the MLE when the power struggle throughout the landscape will surely change over the next year. Granted, teams like the Lakers and Hornets (the first 2 that come to mind) look like they’ll be around for awhile. However, the “older” top-tier of teams like the Pistons and Spurs can easily fall off significantly by the 2010 season.

On a side note…..
I’m hearing and reading a ton of rumblings about Elton Brand’s frustration with losing in LA. As I understand, he has an option in the next year to become an unrestricted FA. I dont believe it would that far fetched for Artest to want to stay in SAc for the long haul and bring along his childhood buddy (and still one of his good friends in the NBA) to Sactown in 2010. It may sound like a pipedream, but i dont think its that far-fetched.. Imagine a (insert PG here), Martin, Artest, Brand and Hawes lineup!!!!!

My understanding is that Hoopsworld doesn’t have a sterling reputation in predicting these things. If Artest were to opt out, there is no reason he couldn’t sign a one year MLE deal with another team and then become a free agent again next summer.

If there is anything to this, I’d bet he is either watching the Lakers vs. Celtics series and thinking that he would be the difference maker or he wants to play in New York. I want Artest gone, but I don’t like the idea of losing him for nothing. The Kings could have gotten expiring contracts and the #20 pick from Denver, which might have turned into a pick in the #6-9 range when combined with the #12 the Kings already have.

ESPN 710am down here had an open discussion yesterday about whether the Lakers should keep with their current roster, or mix things up in the off season (this does relate, stay with me). After tons of dip-sh*t callers, the hosts came to the conclusion that the best thing for them to do is trade Odom for Artest.
While I am not sure how I would feel about the deal, it leads itself to an important point. If Artest opt’s out, then we get nothing for him. This is why I, and so many others, were upset when he did not get traded at the deadline last season. While I am not a fan of Ron and do not see him as part of this teams future, I would rather have him not opt out, so that we can trade him for something.
I am curious what you all think, would you trade Artest for Odom?

...Ron Artest should leave Sac. I agree. That being said, he will be playing for a contract next year and should be very productive. The question is whether the Kings should start rebuilding the SF position now or should wait a year.

I hope the Kings want to start rebuilding now, but I also think that I would enjoy watching Artest fighting for a new contract next year.

His marijuana issue is old, old news. I have tremendous respect for Odom, who went through the horror of losing a young child last year and played through it. He has one year at $14.1 million, so K9(woof!) or ‘Reef could be packaged. Yes, yes, yes!!! He is not a true 4 but can log at least as much time there as Artest. He is not an alpha male, but he is a solid contributor that would have no problem defering to Martin. Odom could play out the year here or we deal him at deadline time for youth and/or picks.

Regarding Ron, I will only be upest if he opts out because we could have gotten the #20 pick for him, and that pick in Petrie’s hands could have yielded a player.

I just had a horrifying thought. Kings execs are obsessed, OBSESSED with jump shooters. Vladimir Radmanovic and Jordan Farmar for Artest works under the cap. The Kings need a point guard, and Radmanovic does nothing but shoot jump shots and screw up. I’m sorry, hold on…the idea of Radmanovic playing here just made me throw up a little bit. Are the Kings are dumb enough to do this deal?

I just don’t understand the anti – Artest sentiment here. Odem? He’s just an overpaid soft player (with some skills) that fills in some lines on the stat sheet. He OBVIOUSLY could NEVER lead a team. He’d be incredibly unhappy here, a cancer in the locker room and underperform even more on the floor than he does in LA. I wouldn’t want him on my team at any price. Its nuts to talk about giving away a still young (28) championship piece. THINK about it – how will Ron be when he really KNOWS he’s got a good, complete team with him? He’ll be a terror, an engine of destruction other teams will FEAR. They have to game plan extra for him now as it is. I don’t CARE if other teams do/will hate him – hell, I welcome it! SAVE RON ARTEST!! (and get him to talk to his buddy Elton Brand)

We’ll NEVER attract a marque player in 2010 unless they see we’re READY and have pieces in place to be a championship team. What? Are we planning for 2012 now? Build on what we have NOW and that includes Ron Artest.