<nervously twitching until Ron Artest gets traded>

by Ziller on Feb 5, 2008 7:16 AM PST in Free Agency/Trades Comment 64 comments

"I just think they (the Kings) would be better if I wasn't on the team. I think (Theus) would be doing much better."

Artest was asked why he felt that way, then reiterated his stance.

"I don't know, just personnel; just personnel," he said. "It'd be better if I wasn't on the team."

He's right. And this isn't even one of those cases where he's right but for the wrong reasons. He knows exactly what's going on here.

"García and Salmons blossom better when I'm not around," he wrote. "I really enjoy watching them. John Salmons is someone that I look up to and García is a very great friend and I like watching them play."

Marc Stein mentioned in his chat yesterday the Kings are trying to attach Kenny Thomas to any Artest trade with Denver now. God bless Geoff Petrie for remaining so stoic; every time a quote like these hits the fishwrap I'd be panicking and panicking some more.

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Ummmm

Stubborn insistence on improvement by attaching Kenny Thomas is why Ron Artest is still on this team. It's also, no pun intended, why he's up to his antics again. God I love Artest. And every day he isn't traded, along with his bibbilicious monster counterpart, is a day worth forgetting, mebbe.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 5, 2008 8:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Salaries

If Petrie continues to hold out and eventually moves K9, ill cal him great. If he gets too greedy and ends up not trading anyone, I'll end up writing an angry drunken diary.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Feb 5, 2008 8:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Aarggghhhh

Come on Geoff, get this thing done.

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 5, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I wrote my diary before I saw this too Otis

Although I'm sure you're aware of it. Had I seen this I"m sure my head would have rotated 760 degrees at a bare minimum.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 5, 2008 8:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kenny

It may be that Petrie's been trying to attach Kenny to trades for 18 months now, and guess what? NOBODY WANTS HIM. No one is going to take a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Brussels sprouts on it. Trade the PBJ for somebody's bologna and get it over with. I'm hungry!

by Carl on Feb 5, 2008 10:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bologna . . . ummm . . . .

Could we get some doughnuts too?

by SavageBeast on Feb 5, 2008 11:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Geez

"Stop with the glue-sniffing induced trade machine tinkering already!"

Note: this message brought to you by the Leaguepassaddict Objectification Society

by Kfan in Korea on Feb 5, 2008 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've never tried it

Can you put a PBJ into the trade machine?

If you could, I bet you'd have to have Darko Milicic on the other side to make it work.

Ron Artest: A legend in his own mind.

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 5, 2008 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Doughnuts AND Bologna?

What the heck are they feeding you in Shreveport?

Ron Artest: A legend in his own mind.

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 5, 2008 1:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Line

TZ, there's no way the Kings are as good without Artest as they are with him unless they get equal value back. Salmons is not as good as Artest. Francisco is not as good as Artest. Moving Artest without getting something back = rebuilding = worse team than we have right now.

Look at the team's record with and without Artest and tell me, honestly, the team is better without him.

Now, if your point is we need to rebuild anyway and getting rid of Ron will speed up the process and help the younger players "blossom," that's a whole different discussion. But the team will not be as competitive and will lose more games without Ron than with him.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 11:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Don't need "equal value" to move forward

The Kings just need to get something for Artest if they feel that he will in fact opt out and take the MLE somewhere else (netting nothing in return).

Under that assumption, getting equal value isn't happening (unless you get someone else with talent & baggage), and there's no reason to swap him for another Expiring Contract unless you want him out of the locker room (even on the roster, he could get less minutes if they decided to go with the youth movement now).

To say that trading him for non-equal value hurts the team in the W-L column is a shortsighted view. As has been mentioned before, the ultimate goal should be an NBA Title . . . not just "making it to the playoffs".

by smgmatt on Feb 5, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

The Kings franchise does not end on April 19.

by Ziller on Feb 5, 2008 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I Don't Disagree

My sole point is, short-term, for the rest of this season, starting the day the deal is done, the team with not be better without Artest. Period. Of course, that short-term pain might be necessary to build the foundation for another title-contending team.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 12:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You're missing it, boss

Getting less than equal value (which is impossible in any scenario, given Ron's low salary and checkered past) does not absolutely-no-ands-ifs-or-buts make this team worse tomorrow.

You can trade for a lesser player -- Charlie Villanueva? David Lee? -- who fills a bigger need on the team TODAY. When you also consider Salmons The Starter and Garcia The Sixth Man are much, much better than Salmons The Sixth Man and Garcia The Benchwarmer (in addition, Garcia The Sixth Man > Salmons The Sixth Man)... any losses at the swing position is lessened.

Forget next year for a second. You don't see any way trading Ron Artest for a slightly lesser player might help the team? You're not aware Mikki Moore is running with a PER of 12 and has been far above our expectations? Imagine this team with a decent rebounder or defender at the four, or a cat who can hang on to the ball. (No offense to Mikki; I love the guy.)

[Lee - Moore] > [Artest - Salmons]

I suspect the case could be made for non-Lee players, as well.

by Ziller on Feb 5, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lee vs. Non-Lee

It's sad to think that this is pretty much the way most Kings fans* will see any Artest trade. The Kings will either get "Lee" or a "Non-Lee Player".

I wish Isiah would just hurry up with the crazy and send us Lee already.

*DISCLAIMER: I'm referring semi-knowledgeable Kings fans, I'm not counting the people who don't even know who David Lee is (and yes, there are a lot of them out there).

by smgmatt on Feb 5, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are There?Now THAT'S sad....

I like Lee...I think he'd be a good fit for the roster.

it's not just about who's the "best" player, but what makes this team better in the long term.

by Rhondda Nunes on Feb 5, 2008 10:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Artest

While he's been playing better within the offense the last week or so, it's only a matter of time before RonKobe shows up again and starts dominating the ball on the offense and limiting K-Mart's touches.

For most of the year, the ball has moved better without him on the floor. He's a very good player, but for our offense, he plays too much isolation.

His most recent comments lead me to believe that he is chafing under the restrictions being placed on him on the court. He recognizes being a bad fit for the team.

Ron Artest: A legend in his own mind.

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 5, 2008 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Still

It's probably not a smart thing for him to say publicly as any potential suitors Petrie might be dancing with will use it as ammunition.

In essence, he reduces Petrie's bargaining position by completely relieving any pretense that the team could have Ron-Ron in its future plans.

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 5, 2008 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So.....

Are you hypothesizing that he's doing it on purpose?

Somebody call Larry brown & tell him to make Zeke more crazy faster.

by Rhondda Nunes on Feb 5, 2008 10:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually no

I don't think he has a clue...he's just Ron being Ron.

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 6, 2008 6:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Moving Target

TZ, you're shifting positions in mid-gear. Your original post and your "He's Right" link to your earlier argument don't mention getting another player for Artest. The implied argument is, as you said in the linked article, is let Ron go, regardless of what comes back in the deal.

To quote: "This team, as presently constructed, cannot be a good defensive team, Ron or not. The difference between Ron's defense and the defense of his would-be replacements is not as large as we think. Consider this a vote to let Ron-Ron fly... somewhere else."

In the post above, you quote Artest saying the team would be better off without him, and you simply add: "He's right."

Not "He's right ... if we can get Charlie Viilanueva or David Lee or a decent 4 for him."

That's all I was responding to.

I know Mikki Moore is the weakness on the team and I've made that point repeatedly on these boards, so I would agree that if we could get a decent power forward for Ron, the team might play as well or better.

I disagree, however, if you think the team will do as well if he simply is no longer here and we get nothing for him.

I'm aware of David Lee's numbers and think he would be a nice fit. But I don't think anyone is at home in New York, so I don't they'll be doing any deals with anyone until the Isaiah situation is resolved.

Charlie Villanueva? I'm not that impressed with him and he's a lot further down the list of PERs than David Lee, although his numbers as the No. 31 ranked PF or better than than Moore's at No. 45. I've also mentioned trying to get guys like Warrick, Collison, Wilcox and Bass, all of whom rank high than Charlie V, to address our power forward weakness, and have mostly been harpooned for it.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 1:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just for the Record

With Artest in the lineup: Kings are 16-13.
Without Artest in the lineup: Kings are 6-11.

They did go 4-5 without Ron the last time he was hurt, including wins over Orlando and Dallas.

They were 2-5 without him when he was suspended to start the season, and he missed another game not long after that and they also lost.

They are 7-3 since he last returned to the lineup recently.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 2:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think the Kings are better with Artest

And I absolutely think they should trade him, ASAP.

Weird, huh?

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 5, 2008 2:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, also should factor Beno in there

He was unavailable in those 1st 7 and he also missed the Phoenix game when Ron had to visit his daughter.

So, I'd say we're 2-6 without Ron and Beno. And 4-5 without Ron, but with Beno.

Still a very small sample size.

That said, your point is taken, and I think it adds to the argument that we must trade Ron now. Don't let him walk for nothing. And with our closeness to the Luxury Tax, a sign and trade after the season would be undesirable.

by Kfan in Korea on Feb 5, 2008 3:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My Point

Keep Artest!

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not possible

without going into luxury tax territory, unless we trade Bibby for all expiring deals, and even then it's not likely we could resign Artest, Beno, our draft pick and fill out the roster, while avoiding the luxury tax.

Here's a recent diary where I went through some of the numbers: 2008 Salary Crunch

by Kfan in Korea on Feb 5, 2008 3:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are we forbidden

from going into Luxury Tax Territory?

Is the goal winning? Or getting the most wins per dollar?

Just asking.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not forbidden, but

I don't think the Maloofs are willing to pay luxury tax for a team that has little or no chance at a title.

Maybe we can trade the Maloofs for Paul Allen or Mark Cuban. I'd make either of those trades.

by Kfan in Korea on Feb 5, 2008 3:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Beyond this season?

You talk about keeping Artest like it's a decision that Petrie can make. But Artest holds the opt-out card, which he has stated numerous times that he will play.

We can't afford to pay him what he believes he's worth in the free agent market, barring a trade of some other player for expiring contracts, but in that case, you're taking a HUGE risk, throwing away the rest of this season in the hope that the Mercurial Mr. Artest will decide that Sacramento is the place to be, which he's already stated that it isn't.

Unless the voices in his head suddenly become huge Kings fans, he's gone, and we can either wave good-bye as he books it out of town at the end of the season, or we can trade him now and get what we can for him.

Whether he fits with the team or not, whether he makes the team better or not, that's the reality of the situation. He's as good as gone, regardless of what Petrie does.

Ron Artest: A legend in his own mind.

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 5, 2008 3:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Assumptions

I think your making some assumptions that may or may not be true.

Ron can play the opt-out card, but it's not clear what he's going to come up with. He may not like the offers he's getting and may choose to opt back into the fold for another season.

If you move Artest, you're writing off this season anyway, pure and simple. And that might be the prudent course if you can get something for him of value.

I think Ron is like any player: he wants to feel wanted. I am sure he would have liked to have had talks with Petrie about a deal, but Geoff is playing poker and Ron is trying to play along with his pair of 5s.

In the absence of a deal, Ron of course will test the waters.

Now I may be wrong here, particularly if GP is trying to connect Kenny Thomas to an Artest deal. Maybe there is a strong market for Ron's services in the West in light of the Lakers move to get Gasol. I guess we're about to see.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 4:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

While I liked your opinion...

...I think you are dead wrong on this one. Maybe Ron makes us better this year, MAYBE. The entire team has gotten better this year, so I throw those first few games out.

While keeping Ron may (I differ in opinion) get us more wins this year, keeping him for next year gets us nothing. You are right in saying that Ron may not opt out, we have no way of knowing for sure, I hope he does. Sure, he helps us win games, but he also kills offensive flow and slows the maturation of our younger guys. I could care less about making the playoffs this year or even next, if it means contending in a few years.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Feb 5, 2008 11:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When Ron plays lIke he has

the last few games, he doesn't really kill the flow. And he's a real force off the drive, something the Kings desperately need.

Sorry to burst your pipe dream, but John Salmons and Francisco Garcia aren't ever going to take you to the promised land, no matter how much they "mature." Don't get me wrong, they are very competent role players, but expecting more than that from them is unrealistic.

Keep Artest and Martin together, and you have the makings of a solid core to build around. To paraphrase Addict, keep the good players you have and add around them. Add a point guard and a power forward-center, and you have a real contender.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 3:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did I say that?

wow, I sound smart.

Two problems with your arguments, though.

First, the Ron that's been playing in the last few games is the Good Ron, the Ron who takes his meds, listens to his coach and plays nicely with others. You get him about 60% of the time, and he helps the team.

The other 40% you get Bad Ron, the Ron who taunts the crowd at road games (I was at the Utah game...), screams at his coach and disrupts the offense. He hurts the team.

Second, Salmons had some monster games while Artest was out. You can't look at the first 7 when Ron was suspended because a. the team was just coming together under a new coach and the whole team was sucking every night, and b. we had no point guard for those games and Salmons plays better if someone else is directing the offense, as in not the primary ball handler.

And, as I've said before (this one I do remember) I'd rather risk starting Salmons for the rest of the year than risk getting nothing for Artest if/when he walks away at the end of the season.

Because my educated guess is that he's gonna opt out, regardless of how happy he says he's been in Sacramento.

Ron Artest: A legend in his own mind.

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 6, 2008 7:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's really the bottom line here

And, as I've said before (this one I do remember) I'd rather risk starting Salmons for the rest of the year than risk getting nothing for Artest if/when he walks away at the end of the season.

Add Cisco to that mix as well - I'd rather risk a combo of Salmons and Cisco than Artest not opting out.

Coolcatreportdotcom is basically asking Petrie to play chicken with a crazy man.

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 6, 2008 8:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Remember Bonzi

Not totally comparable, but they could end up having their similarities. Maybe Ron will come to his senses a little sooner in the summer in time to remain a King.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 4:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree to disagree

Right now it's the devil you know or the devil you don't know.

If you move Artest now, you know what you're dealing with for the rest of the season and in the future.

If you gamble and keep Artest until April, then hope you can re-sign him, well, that's the devil you don't know.

It seems to be the day for song lyrics, so let me put up my own, courtesy of The Clash:

"Should I stay or should I go?
If I go there will be trouble,
If I stay it will be double."

Personally, I'd rather risk starting Salmons for the rest of the season than risk seeing Artest walk with nothing to show for it.

Ron Artest: A legend in his own mind.

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 5, 2008 4:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You mean the same Bonzi

that had trouble in Portland, trouble in Memphis, played about the equivalent of one half of a season here, was awesome in the playoffs, screwed himself out of a $35 million payday, signed for $5 million in Houston, had trouble in Houston last year and is averaging 9 pts. (42% field) and 5 rebs. this year under the only coach that he has ever gotten along with professionally? That Bonzi?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 5, 2008 5:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you trying to say

that Bonzi makes Artest look like a choir boy?

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 7:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, let me spell it out for you

Better off without Bonzi X $35 million,
better off without Ron X ???

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 5, 2008 8:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

Maybe we can just recruit some guys from Sac State to fill the roster.

The Sacramento Kings ... where .500 ball happens.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 3:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Sac State players could get us to .500? Sign em up! Cause last I looked we were still two games under at this point.

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 6, 2008 8:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Come on

You're just being ridiculous now.

Trading Ron equates to giving up on the franchise? It's absurd.

And you can't let him test the waters hoping he'll 'opt back in'... because he can't opt back in! He could come crawling back and ask Petrie to offer a contract. Ask Bonzi how that usually works out.

Ron doesn't want to be here, Petrie doesn't seem to want Ron here. How hard is it to grasp, mate?

by Ziller on Feb 6, 2008 8:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Very true

If Ron-Ron opts out, Petrie ain't bringing him back unless there's a serious discount involved.

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 6, 2008 8:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You'd really have to hope

that Petrie would renounce Ron if it got to that point.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 6, 2008 9:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

By the time Bonzi came back

They had already given the money to Salmons. Otherwise Petrie probably would have resigned him.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 9:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I never said ...

... that trading Ron equates to giving up on the franchise. As I've said, I am cool with a trade that brings back soemthing that makes us better.

The Sac State comment has to do with the team's reluctance to go over the cap and really compete for a title. Because we are not going to do it by signing 10 Mikki Moore's for $50 million a year, which seems to be Geoff's MO.

Salmons has been a nice surprise. Francisco has shown flashes of potential. Ron is better player than either.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 9:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dodo Brain you must stop this nonsense

You want to piss an entire blog off (an impressive feat) fine go ahead. But get your facts straight. The cap is near 57.5 million. The Kings are closer to 63.5 million in salary. If you mean luxury tax SAY luxury tax and don't insert cap instead mr ron ron nut rider.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 6, 2008 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dodo Brain?

You crack me up.

Yes, I used cap when I meant tax. Happy?

If you disagree with me, that's fine, but enough with the insults.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 2:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

I've got you so wrong. Whatever shall become of me?

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Feb 6, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Factoring in Beno

Kings without Beno: 1-5.
Kings with Beno: 21-19.

Kings with Beno, Miller, Kmart, Artest: 12-7.
Kings without 1 of those guys: 10-17.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 11:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It Takes Two

Both Ron Artest and Kevin Martin have missed 17 games, and it makes a lot of difference when they don't play.

With Martin in the lineup: Kings are 15-14.
Without Martin in the lineup: Kings are 7-10.

Very close to the Artest stats above.

A few more:
With Martin, without Artest: Kings are 3-7.
With Artest, without Martin: Kings are 4-6.
With both Artest and Martin: Kings are 12-8.
Without both Artest and Martin: Kings are 3-4.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 3:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Artest and Martin

Actually the Kings are 12-7 with both in the lineup, not 12-8.

The common fallacy is that Ron hurts Martin and the Kings by taking away too many shots from Kevin. Let's look at the facts:

Martin overall: averages 24.3 points.
Artest overall: averages 18.3 points.

Martin without Artest:
Averages 27.2 pts per game, but Kings are 3-7.

Martin with Artest:
Averages 22.79 points, and Kings are 12-7.

Artest without Martin:
Averages 16.2 points, and Kings are 4-6.

Artest with Martin:
Averages 19.53 points, and Kings are 12-7.

When Martin outscores Artest:
Kings are 7-6.

When Artest outscores Martin:
Kings are 4-1.

They tied in one game with 26 apiece, and the Kings won.

When both score 20+: Kings are 6-1.

Naturally this is focused totally on scoring, and we might get a better picture if we take shots into account.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 3:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Keeping Artest

is like continiung to date that good looking boyfriend/girlfriend with the great body that just happens to be psycho. Sure, he/she has maimed before, but you can change him/her, right? Right?

He was a volatile keep before. Imagine him now that he has said that he thinks he should go.

Thanks for the memories, Ron. Good luck and God bless.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Feb 5, 2008 4:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't that a movie?

My Super Ex-Small Forward?

Ron Artest: A legend in his own mind.

by LeaguePassAddict on Feb 5, 2008 4:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds like

a relationship that is never boring.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 5, 2008 7:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or one that turns you

paranoid & commitment phobic.

by Rhondda Nunes on Feb 5, 2008 10:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely not boring

But not healthy either. I would rather see a good team then a "I wonder what that crazy bastard might do next" team.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Feb 5, 2008 11:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They've won 7 of their last nine

And beat two first-place teams in the process. Sounds pretty healthy to me.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bottom line

He may be a "crazy bastard," but he's a helluva player, a rare talent and a winner.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 4:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

And he's opting out

Regardless of your "wishful thinking".

Disclaimer: I am anti-Bibby.

by otis29 on Feb 6, 2008 6:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Options

Well, I am fine if any of these things happen:

We trade Artest in a deal that improves the ballclub. And I don't mean an Artest for garbage trade that some would say is addition by subtraction. I don't buy that, and this team has demonstrated it's not real good even with everyone else (including Beno) except Ron suited up.
We keep Ron, he opts out -- I agree he's going to test the waters -- and he probably ends up opting back in when nobody beats his Sacramento deal.

Side thought: A question? Has any team won an NBA championship without being over the cap? I know the Spurs were barely over a couple of times and have done a good job of managing salaries and still being competitive, but I am curious about other past champions.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 8:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

That's a fallacy

... because almost no teams finish a season under the cap.

I think Charlotte might be under the cap this year, but that's it. Charlotte and Atlanta were the only two the previous year.

This isn't about getting under the cap and staying there; it's about keeping/creating enough flexibility to make moves or possibly go after free agents. If you don't stay fluid, you have no options when big names become available. Look at the Knicks. Signing Artest long-term would be akin to getting into the Knicks' situation: mediocre team, too many fat contracts to do anything with.

by Ziller on Feb 6, 2008 8:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bad Ron

I don't worry too much about Bad Ron, because he usually comes out when we're losing and would have ended up losing anyway. Good Ron ends up producing more wins for the Kings then Bad Ron takes away.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Feb 6, 2008 8:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs