Don't Sleep on Houston as a potential Artest player...
Though I'm not sure, at this juncture, what they have to give up.
over 3 years ago
rbiegler
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Weird
Reading that article makes me think that they are even less of an Artest player than I thought they were before.
"Matt Lauer, up on NBC. You look like a girl, don't talk to me" -Ron Artest
Really?
I think the entire logic of holding off on acquiring anything major until you see where the season takes you is precisely what Petrie is banking on in terms of moving Artest. We know collectively that there will be a tremendous amount of quality parity in the West next year. We know that a few of the teams that contribute to said parity will struggle. And we know a few of those teams are going to panic (for lack of a less melodramatic phrase) sometime in February and start making plays for available players. Sure Redd sounds good in theory. But in execution if Milwaukee moves him I think they can get more elsewhere. Honestly I just think Artest syncopates better with Houston than he does other rumored locales (with the obvious exception of the Lakers.) And I see Houston as being a still good but not great team in the late winter of ‘09.
Yeah
I completely agree that Artest will become a more valuable commodity as the trade deadline nears, but I just don’t see him going to Houston. As always, let’s remember that I am an idiot, so he’ll probably end up in Houston when all is said and done. I just don’t see who they would give up that Petrie would be interested in taking. I also think that they’ve already got a similar player in Shane Battier. I think Artest is better than Battier in many ways, but they bring a lot of similar characteristics (the obvious difference being that Battier is known as such a great “team” guy).
"Matt Lauer, up on NBC. You look like a girl, don't talk to me" -Ron Artest
Agree
Strongly on both of those points. You can’t really move Battier to Power and play Artest at Small (in part because you’ve got Scola) and it wouldn’t do you any good to have one or the other coming off the bench.
For me the big red flag that always manifests when people talk of moving Artest is his potential disruption of team and locker room chemistry (granted we enjoy him here, and in no way has he been destructive, but enigmatic is not always the most sought after emotional intangible.) Adelman, even if only for half a season, had success with Artest, and I guess that’s part of my admittedly thin rationalization.
Hadn't thought of the Adelman connection
But it does add an interesting twist.
"Matt Lauer, up on NBC. You look like a girl, don't talk to me" -Ron Artest
Artest for Battier
I’ve posted this before but I don’t understand why nobody suggests trading Artest for Battier and a filler? Battier is a good defender who can shoot the 3 and is a team player. I remember watching Rockets-Lakers last year where Battier by himself was able to slow down Kobe with his D. He migt not be a good offensive player but that just means K-Mart and the others can play a bigger role on offense.
I don't see it happening
For the exact reasons that you and I listed. I do not see Houston giving away a guy like Battier for a guy like Artest.
"Matt Lauer, up on NBC. You look like a girl, don't talk to me" -Ron Artest
I gave Battier a lot of props
but that said, I still believe Artest is a better basketball player, especially on offense. Of course you gotta count the headaches he’ll bring you, but if you have Yao and T-Mac and are pretty close to contender status, don’t you roll the dice? One point I didn’t even include was Rick Adelman. Supposely, Ron liked playing under him so that could ease some of the trouble he brings.I think both teams win with that trade
Yeah
rbeigler and I were discussing the Adelman connection earlier in this thread. And in there I talked about how overall I agree with what you just said about Artest being a better player than Battier. But honestly, does that slight edge make it worth the risk? I’m not sure Houston pulls the trigger.
"Matt Lauer, up on NBC. You look like a girl, don't talk to me" -Ron Artest
I was thinking
that moving K-9 or SAR in exchange for Bobby Jackson would bring us salary cap freedom a year sooner, along with brining back one heck of a 6th man.
Unfortunately, they don’t have a ton of free salary to move. Ron and K-9 adds up to darn near $17M, and Bobby J is only getting paid ~$7M. Stevie Franchise gets it closer, but still not enough movable salary to make it worth our while.
I don't see the incentive
Even if we ignore the salary issues, I can’t imagine any reason Houston would give us Jackson for K-9.
"Matt Lauer, up on NBC. You look like a girl, don't talk to me" -Ron Artest
well, I can't really figure that out either
but it’s worth a shot! Chalk it up to a slow newsday.
by misterbrister on Jul 8, 2008 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Bobby Jackson
He’s looking a little washed up to me.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jul 9, 2008 5:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Yet another team that is going to have major cap room in 2010
More and more I am thinking we either need to cap room earlier or not count on the cap room to get free agents in 2010. Everyone seems to be shooting for that year. I’d much rether see us picking up draft picks and younger players than counting on a big FA signing in 2010.
One other thought. On the other Artest postings several people seem to be pushing for keeoing Artest long term. I don’t even see that as an option at this point. GP clearly told Artest and his agent that he is not in the King’s long term plans. So why are we still discussing it. The question now is what can we get for him and do we trade him sooner or later. Unless you think GP will change his mind . . . on go ice-skating in Hell.
"Being loquacious and being right aren't necessarily always the same."
GP, the man, the myth, the legend, puts the smackdown on Reggie
No, you're right
People are acting like all will be ok in 2010. They forget that the biggest free agent signing Sacramento has managed is Vlade Divac (and don’t get me wrong, I love Vlade). Now, having cap space helps in terms of facilitating trades (notice how Seattle got hooked up with three first rounders for taking on, then trading, Kurt Thomas) but I’d be surprised if we net max-deal caliber player (that’s not saying Geoff will overpay a mediocre one!). I’d look more towards the draft and trade for assembling our talent, then using free agency in 2010 to add that final piece to the puzzle. But right now, we’re missing a lot of pieces, and K9 may have eaten some…
Moving up to 2009 could also be a sneaky move, if certain things fall into place. If extension negotiations break down with the Bobcats, Okafor could take a one-year deal to become an unrestricted next year. Boozer, too, could opt out next summer, and we all know he won’t hesitate to follow the $$.
Yeah
I don’t see 2010 as the year as much as it is an opportunity for Petrie to really work on rebuilding the team. It will be the first year the Kings actually have the flexibility to make major moves. (That being said, the salary-inflexible state we’re in is on Petrie.)
Still Unclear on Petrie vs. Artest
Artest’s comments seems to make it clear he’s not in the Kings long-term plans, but Petrie’s followup to Ron’s first email seems to counter that and leave retaining Ron and even signing him to a multi-year deal an option. There may be a lot of teams playing a wait-and-see game, and any Artest deal could come before the February deadline instead of this summer.
I have to think at some point some middle ground might be found with Ron inking a four-year contract (or maybe even a 2-3 year deal) in the $40 million range. Less years is better for the Kings and maybe better for Ron as well, and $10 million a year beats MLE money.
by coolcatreportdotcom on Jul 9, 2008 5:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Petrie
I don’t think it is in GP’s nature to close any doors. He’s leaving himself options. That being said, I really, really doubt that the Kings would give Artest a new deal for the kind of money he’s going to be looking for.
"Matt Lauer, up on NBC. You look like a girl, don't talk to me" -Ron Artest
Not seeing the Artest angle
I don’t see Houston being in the market for Artest, though I’d be happy to be wrong. Battier and Aaron Brooks for Artest works under the cap. I just don’t think it makes any sense for them. The Lakers are Good Ron away from a championship. Good Ron might make Houston better, but I don’t think it puts them over the top, so why take the risk?
The other angle I just thought of concerning 2010...
LBJ still wants to play for a contender, those teams vying for cap space like NY and NJ may only be able to sign one big FA, while some smaller market teams like the Kings looking to make a splash could come to some sort of pre-arranged (Cough) to sign a couple. I mean Kmart is drawing the respect of his peers around the league, maybe he can convince Lebron to come on out!
Wtf, I’m not an optimist, what is wrong with me today.
Stick something else in your pipe & smoke it
Perhaps your pessimism will return. :)
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on
Good point and not outside the realm of possibility
If Spencer Hawes turns out to be a minor star, Beno turns into an 18 and 6 guy who shoots 40% from three, Jason Thompson turns into a good player – if the Kings really look like they’re going somewhere – it’s not impossible.
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