The Houston Chronicle is reporting that Ron Artest is headed for Houston. And according to a source close to the Kings, the reported deal is well on its way to taking place.
The Kings would receive Bobby Jackson, a first-round draft pick next season, and recent first-round draft pick Donte Green. The trade, however, can not be finalized until Aug. 14 because that is the earliest date on which Green can be traded. There could also be other players involved to make the deal work
I like Greene and Brooks fine, but you are talking about them there liek they are stars. They are just mid-20s picks. Good looking ones maybe, but that's hardly a price to pay from the Rockets perspective for them suddenly being able to put together a really scary looking team with a Yao/TMac/Artest trio. And Artest/Battier TOGETHER on the wings when its time to shut people down? My goodness.
Props to Petrie. Bobby Jackson compliments this teams lack a go-2 scorers, and a 1st round pick...Great news for Sacramento.
Take a deep breath and relax, Brick. You're about to blow a gasket over something you think I said.
I never said those kids are going to be stars. In fact I don't like Greene and I'm lukewarm on Brooks. But this is about getting two #1 picks (with Greene counting as a #1) as oppose to one #1 pick. You may remember I was for trading Artest to Denver last year for filler and one, count it one, first rounder. And remember many thought we were lucky to even get one #1 pick at all. Now, if this is true then GP doubled the return value. That's what I meant by genius.
Rockets apparently thinks highly of Greene, to convince them to give him up when they have other small contract they can throw in (like Luthur Head) is a job well done.
Now, I know you don't like people praising Petrie, Brick. But if the trade includes Greene and a #1 (even if it's a late pick), then I say GP has done well.
On the flip side, I don't think T-Mac/Yao/Artest/Battier/Scola is anything special. They'll be a very good team and they'll probably make the 2nd round, but that's as far as I see them going. This is not the "final piece" trade that I think you're implying.
I think you're misstating that possible Denver trade a bit. Petrie's "price" for Artest was always either 1) young player/1st Rounder/Expiring or 2) Artest/KT for expiring.
The deal at the deadline that the Kings wanted was Kleiza (young player), 1st Rounder and Najera (expiring). The Nuggest balked at including Kleiza, but that's essentially the same deal the Kings just got. I like Donta Greene better than Kleiza in terms of potential, so ultimately Petrie got both lucky (that Denver didn't take that deal), and good (for not caving and accepting less).
Exactly what I had in mind. The deal was Artest for Najera, Kleiza, and #1.
I don't consider Kleiza = #1 pick since he has been in the league for a couple yrs and shown that he's at best a bench player. If we had the #27 pick in 2005 we probably wouldn't draft Kleiza.
Greene, while I dislike his game, has a lot more upside and is fresh off being drafted #1. He is a guy that slipped and is porobably the guy we'd have drafted if this had been a draft-day trade. So I count him as a #1 pick. Meaning we got two #1s out of Artest.
donte green was drafted in this years draft?
Now I'm hearing it's either Greene or next years #1 - not both
Also, in excess of $1 mil cash to Kings.
Can't confirm that Greene is involved until Aug. 14 when he can officially be traded.
Thus, it may just be BJax, a mil or so cash and next years #1 pick. Maybe not all that great unless Greene part of package plus next years pick.
Are you sure we win??? everyone around the ProSportsDaily forums is saying the Rockets got a steal.........
More confirmation: Houston will send Greene, BJax and the money if both players pass physicals. Can't officially certify until physicals and in the case of Greene until Aug. 14. If Greene is not part of deal for any reason Kings take Rockets #1 next year. Thus, the only thing for sure is trade has been made and Artest is gone.