Rumors: Artest Pushing Hard
By: Eric Pincus Last Updated: 7/15
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9480
RUMOR HAS IT…
Today's section is geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating
around the NBA …
Much Left to be Resolved: While a few big name free agents have made their
decisions (Elton Brand, Baron Davis, etc), it's almost a week into the
signing period and more questions remain than answers.
The following is a breakdown of some of the major issues that need to be
resolved in the coming weeks and months:
Ron Artest: It's apparent that Artest no longer wants to be a Sacramento
King. A focused, happy Artest can be huge for a franchise. When he first
came to Sacramento, he led the team to the postseason and helped give the
San Antonio Spurs a scare in the first round.
Conversely, when Artest has an issue - he can be impossible to deal with.
The Kings have a nice group of kids they're trying to develop into playoff
material in the West. Last season Artest was not a great influence - with
his blasting of rookie Coach Reggie Theus throughout the year.
He hasn't been in the Kings' long-term plans for some time and somehow just
realized it.
Artest is pushing for a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers although that's not
the only place he'll go. Recently he announced he didn't want to go to the
Denver Nuggets, obviously spurned that they decided not to pick him up at
the trade deadline because they wouldn't move Linas Kleiza.
Not a lot of teams are willing to acquire Artest considering the baggage.
Wherever he goes, he'll expect a long-term commitment.
Sam Amick (writing for the Sacramento Bee) cites sources that the Lakers
are willing to give up Lamar Odom but that the holdup may involve the
contract of Kenny Thomas - who the Kings insist goes with Artest as part of
a package deal.
While that may be the word out of Sacramento (Amick is well connected to
the team's decision-makers), the buzz out of LA is that the Lakers aren't
willing to give up Odom. They certainly aren't open to taking on Thomas.
Recent buzz has the Kings in talks with the Miami HEAT for Shawn Marion but
again, Miami isn't going to sacrifice their cap space next summer by
acquiring Thomas.
If Artest continues to speak publicly against the Kings, he'll only make it
more difficult for Sacramento to get equal value.
Since the perception is that Sacramento simply can't take Artest to
training camp, teams may hold out until the price drops.
Warriors: The Warriors are waiting to see if the Lakers match their offer
sheet for Ronny Turiaf. If LA lets him go, the Warriors will still have
some cap room (~$6 million) to spend. If not, they once again have major
space to work with.
It's important they use their cap space prior to re-signing Monta Ellis and
Andris Biedrins - otherwise it evaporates.
Word is the Warriors are going to take their time with Ellis but are avowed
to match any offer sheet.
Clippers: The Clippers are exploring their options. It's difficult to
lure a restricted free agent. They could offer $12 million starting to a
player like Josh Smith but that ties their money up for a week - and the
Atlanta Hawks would probably match.
LA could renounced additional players like Quinton Ross, Josh Powell (non-
guaranteed salary), Marcus Williams and Nick Fazekas to get their offer up
to $14 million in the first year - but is that really the best use of their
cap space?
That's why they're looking at other ideas - like trading for Zach Randolph
of the New York Knicks. The Knicks are reportedly looking to shed long
term contracts to get under the cap by 2010 (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade,
etc).
To date that's a dead end - but the Clippers are open for business and will
wait opportunistically for the right opportunity since they don't have to
match salaries in a trade.
Restricted free agents allegedly under consideration include Emeka Okafor,
Andre Iguodala, Luol Deng, Biedrins and Smith.
Posey: The race for James Posey seems to be coming down to the New Orleans
Hornets and Boston Celtics. If Posey returns to the Green, look for the
Hornets to seek out another option at or near the Mid-Level Exception -
perhaps Sasha Vujacic.
Also interested in Boston is Tyronn Lue who recently spurned interest from
the HEAT. He's also reportedly considering the Phoenix Suns.
Bulls: The Chicago Bulls are one of the most intriguing teams to watch
over the coming weeks. The priority is keeping Luol Deng but it's
difficult to gauge how much the Bulls will pay. Last year they made a
significant eight-figure offer to Deng that he turned down - that certainly
has to be at least the jump off point in negotiations this summer.
They certainly don't need to keep Ben Gordon with Derrick Rose, Kirk
Hinrich, Larry Hughes and Thabo Sefolosha under contract.
At issue is that none of the other players are truly capable of running the
point outside of Hinrich and Rose. The Bulls are wary of putting too much
pressure on Rose as a rookie - but equally Hinrich's salary may be too
expensive to hold onto.
Gordon is a capable scorer the team might look to keep but it's unlikely
they pay for Deng, Hinrich, Gordon, Hughes and Andres Nocioni. Expect
someone to go before all is said a done.
A number of teams are thought to have interest in Hinrich including the
Denver Nuggets and Lakers.
Sixers: Restricted free agency is a slow process but look for the Sixers
to retain Andre Iguodala. The only threat is a gigantic offer sheet from
the Clippers but that may be a stretch.
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