Artest will remain a King.

I understand the "baggage" that Ron brings... but if he is willing to sign a long term deal at MLE or slightly above that, I don't see why any team would want to get rid of him.

With the game that he brings, you CANNOT find someone equal to him for that low of a price tag. You have chumps like Bobby Simmons making close to $10 mil a year. Ron also has been mostly good since he's been in Sac. I would say extend his contract if he is willing to sign for around MLE. Its a good deal for the talent that he brings.
 
I can see S.A., L.A., and Dallas wanting as he could be exactly what they need to push them over the top. I think we will finally see what value Ron has now because I like Warhawk think he is as good as gone.
 
The assumption, and I think clearly the move to be made, would be that he would just be signing for a year. First of all that's the only way anybody wants to take a chance on him. And secondly that's his best shot at picking a team, having a good season, and captializing on it immediately in free agency.

I think you need a 2 year deal for the MLE.

Either way, he loses his bird rights. A team would have to have the cap space to sign him in 09. And losing bird rights means 1 less year on the deal and 8% increases instead of 10.5%.
 
I think you need a 2 year deal for the MLE.

Either way, he loses his bird rights. A team would have to have the cap space to sign him in 09. And losing bird rights means 1 less year on the deal and 8% increases instead of 10.5%.


He's not going to get any of that stuff, and really, he's a fool (duh) if he thinks he will. If he is a very good boy for somebody next year, he might, MIGHT get a heavily clause laden three year deal at less than $10 mil. Concerns about the 6th year though...that's almost impossible unless a team has an absolute cancel any time we damn well feel like it out clause in the contract.

in any case, his redemption via playing on a contender and helping them make a push is just worth so much more to a player in his position than 2% here or there.

P.S. as for the 2yr on the MLE I am of two minds -- I had considered that myself based on the old Chris Dudley rule, and yet can think of numerous instances whihc appear to directly violate that, including one that got us into trouble a few years back when we signed Anthony Peeler wiht the MLE (I thnk) and he got an option year on the seocnd year (which uhe used, thus costing us Gerald Wallace). And this year you have James Posety apparently in a similar position etc.
 
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He's not going to get any of that stuff, and really, he's a fool (duh) if he thinks he will. If he is a very good boy for somebody next year, he might, MIGHT get a heavily clause laden three year deal at less than $10 mil. Concerns about the 6th year though...that's almost impossible unless a team has an absolute cancel any time we damn well feel like it out clause in the contract.

in any case, his redemption via playing on a contender and helping them make a push is just worth so much more to a player in his position than 2% here or there.

P.S. as for the 2yr on the MLE I am of two minds -- I had considered that myself based on the old Chris Dudley rule, and yet can think of numerous instances whihc appear to directly violate that, including one that got us into trouble a few years back when we signed Anthony Peeler wiht the MLE (I thnk) and he got an option year on the seocnd year (which uhe used, thus costing us Gerald Wallace). And this year you have James Posety apparently in a similar position etc.

I think Peeler was just the vet min.

But if he opts out and takes the MLE it means 0 chance of a better deal. Where not opting out there is always a chance at a bigger contract. Who knows what team may give him one in a year.
 
its official Artest and his agent told Marc Stein that Artest will play out the remainder of his contract with the Kings.
 
Glad he stayed, I love ron's game. time to shed some other dead weight contracts so we can get on with contending.
 
time to shed some other dead weight contracts so we can get on with contending.
I wouldn't hold your breath there. It is rare to shed "dead weight" without giving up something of value, except in certain cases for expiring contracts.

Anyway, I am glad Artest is staying, though perhaps not for the same reasons as some. It keeps a lot of options open in the trade market for us, and at the trade deadline if he remains that long.
 
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