Possible Artest Destinations

[nbrans]

So... given everything that's happened with Artest this season and the general sense that the Kings will deal him in the offseason, what are the teams where he could possibly land? It's going to be a certain type of team -- probably not a team with shaky chemistry or a rebuilding team, but maybe a team that is willing to gamble to take the next leap. Some teams are going to be scared away by his rap sheet and history, others might be willing to take a gamble. Here's what I'm thinking about possible destinations.

LA Clippers
They flirted with the idea of adding him when he was the Pacers, and supposedly were interested last season before the trade broke down.

LA Lakers
Maloofs don't like to deal with the Lakers, but they have Phil Jackson and Kobe, hard to see how it wouldn't work. Trying to get back equal value from the Lakers is another story.

Miami Heat
Another team with strong leadership and coaching.

Minnesota Timberwolves
They have KG and they're desperate. Enough said.

New York
He's a local guy and they really could use him, but good luck trying to figure out a trade that makes sense from the Kings' perspective.

That's about all I can come up with. Can you think of any others?

 

[Dime Dropper]

Not really. It will be hard to move him because I really can't see a team offering equal value for him incase he implodes. I like Artest, but at this rebuilding point I would be happy to get a decent young prospect, an ender (maybe) and a draft pick (wouldn't mind whether it would be late or early, take any pick we can get). I think the pick might be asking a bit too much, though.

 

[nbrans]

Not really. It will be hard to move him because I really can't see a team offering equal value for him incase he implodes. I like Artest, but at this rebuilding point I would be happy to get a decent young prospect, an ender (maybe) and a draft pick (wouldn't mind whether it would be late or early, take any pick we can get). I think the pick might be asking a bit too much, though.

The one thing that I think saves his trade value is his contract. One year and a player option. It's not that big of a risk for a team.

 

[Wuster]

Good list, nbrans. Guessing GP has these teams up on his whiteboard, too.

What about New Jersey?

 

[Dime Dropper]

The one thing that I think saves his trade value is his contract. One year and a player option. It's not that big of a risk for a team.

You could be right. Maybe a team looking to get that extra piece to contend would try to get him, you have the most likely candidates in your original post.

 

[sidney]

I'm from Phoenix, so the Suns have crossed my mind.

Reasons:
* the Nash window is only open for another 2 years or so. They stink without him.
* if they lose to the Spurs or Dallas again because of defense, they could look for answers this offseason
* fits their small ball mode playing Ron at SF, Marion at PF, and Amare at C
* they are REALLY disappointed in Diaw this year. He's just not fitting and lots of people are freaking out that they just extended him for 5 more years at 9 mil/year. I think they would be open to trading him.
* Diaw is 6'8", a moderate to poor rebounder, and a good passer. I wonder what GM likes guys like those types?
* They are way over the tax level for next year. They will be one of the top 5 payrolls in the league. Ron's contract is short so risk is lower.

All the teams your mentioned are pretty logical as well.

 

[Smills91]

I'm from Phoenix, so the Suns have crossed my mind.

Reasons:
* the Nash window is only open for another 2 years or so. They stink without him.
* if they lose to the Spurs or Dallas again because of defense, they could look for answers this offseason
* fits their small ball mode playing Ron at SF, Marion at PF, and Amare at C
* they are REALLY disappointed in Diaw this year. He's just not fitting and lots of people are freaking out that they just extended him for 5 more years at 9 mil/year. I think they would be open to trading him.
* Diaw is 6'8", a moderate to poor rebounder, and a good passer. I wonder what GM likes guys like those types?
* They are way over the tax level for next year. They will be one of the top 5 payrolls in the league. Ron's contract is short so risk is lower.

All the teams your mentioned are pretty logical as well.

I'd consider moving Artest for Diaw if the Suns included that Hawks pick with Diaw. Ron is better and has a better contract. It could be a pick between 4-6 from the Suns with Diaw for Artest.

Also NBrans, I like your list, but I don't think the Lakers would pony up enough to get Artest. But those are definitely the top 5 teams that would consider Artest.

The other deal I really like is Ricky Davis/7th pick for Artest
The Suns with Artest for Diaw/4th pick would be VERY tempting as well.

 

[nbrans]

I'd consider moving Artest for Diaw if the Suns included that Hawks pick with Diaw. Ron is better and has a better contract. It could be a pick between 4-6 from the Suns with Diaw for Artest.

Also NBrans, I like your list, but I don't think the Lakers would pony up enough to get Artest. But those are definitely the top 5 teams that would consider Artest.

The other deal I really like is Ricky Davis/7th pick for Artest
The Suns with Artest for Diaw/4th pick would be VERY tempting as well.

Yeah, I started that on the realgm board but don't know how likely that is.

 

[Bricklayer]

That's about all I can come up with. Can you think of any others?

No, think you've likely got the core list there.

Knicks -- may be a real chance. Have a hole at SF, Ron is the hometown boy, he and Zeke know each other, and Zeke now has security with that contract. Thing is all hey have is the #23 pick (because they gave Chicago their lottery pick) and a bunch of bad contracts, one of which we'd have to take to match. We might nab one of their kids in the deal, but it won't be David Lee, and so its softy PFs, unskilled SFs, or punk PGs with real 'tude problems. Meanwhile, which nasty contract do you take back? jared Jeffires? Jerome James? Quentin Richardson? Malik Rose? Not a single ender in the bunch either.

Heat -- heard Riles is coming back, makes it more likely

Clippers -- have to be disappointed + Ron and E.B. apparently like each other. Maggette and their #14?

 

[Bricklayer]

Yeah, I started that on the realgm board but don't know how likely that is.

I'd do it to get that pick..but Ricky Davis = ugh.

 

[nbrans]

Here's another Minnesota idea:

Miller and Artest for Blount, Ricky Davis (expiring) and Minny's lotto pick. Miller to Blount is a downgrade, but it saves money longterm. It also might make the overall trade more likely than the Artest for Davis + pick idea.

PS: And yeah, I wouldn't be too happy about Davis on the roster, but at least he's expiring.

 

[Dime Dropper]

In a second. But I don't think they'd do it, I mean if we had the 7th pick we would not be willing to trade it. We're not even willing to trade it (I hope) unless it's to move up.

 

[Entity]

I like Minn. I think they would be very interested in that KG and Ron-Ron paring. Could it happen without us giving up our pick. That way we have 2 top 10 picks. Because realistically by the time a draftee developed KG is all the way down the hill but, they have a shot with Artest and KG.

On the downside of that. I don't like Davis all that much. Maybe we could get Hassell or something.

 

[Smills91]

I really like the idea of Diaw/Hawks pick for Artest....Diaw is a versatile forward like Artest, just not nearly as good. His contract is long, but could be a usefule player for us for years to come(or the risk is he turns back into Atlanta Diaw). But the really boon would be the ability to potentially nab Al Horford at 4 and Mike Conley Jr. at 10. Re-sign J-will and ronnie and corliss. And then we can see how good Conley is, and potentially move mike at the deadline for another big man type and allow Conley to take over at PG if he's all that we think he could be.

Imagine:

C: Brad Miller, Justin Williams
PF: Al Horford, Shareef Abur-Rahim, Kenny Thomas
SF: Boris Diaw, Francisco Garcia, Corliss Williamson
SG: Kevin Martin, John Salmons, Quincy Douby
PG: Mike Bibby, Mike Conley Jr., Ronnie Price

 

[Bricklayer]

Phoenix isn't going to trade for Artest -- for btoh chemistry and playing style reasons. They are not confusd like we are about who they are -- they play one style, Artest anotherm and never shall the twain meet.

 

[NoBonus]

What about a combo trade involving Ron for Gasol. I thought Gasol was out mid-season, but it is almost certain he will be out this summer. I am bad with the numbers and do not have a lot of time to cruch the player movement; any thoughts?

 

[Entity]

Phoenix isn't going to trade for Artest -- for btoh chemistry and playing style reasons. They are not confusd like we are about who they are -- they play one style, Artest anotherm and never shall the twain meet.

thats the very reason they won't take one of the bigs in the draft. They may take Hawes.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Here's another Minnesota idea:

Miller and Artest for Blount, Ricky Davis (expiring) and Minny's lotto pick. Miller to Blount is a downgrade, but it saves money longterm. It also might make the overall trade more likely than the Artest for Davis + pick idea.

PS: And yeah, I wouldn't be too happy about Davis on the roster, but at least he's expiring.

minne would jump on that trade. it'll give them a lockdown defender next to KG. miller would make sense that he can help spread the floor and distribute. having KG next to him to elminate some of their mistakes makes sense also.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

What about a combo trade involving Ron for Gasol. I thought Gasol was out mid-season, but it is almost certain he will be out this summer. I am bad with the numbers and do not have a lot of time to cruch the player movement; any thoughts?

gasol isn't going anywhere.. they have either first or second pick. pair gasol up w/ oden or durant and you have a deadly combo... factor in their other lottery pick who looks like a good pick (gay) and its a promising lineup.

 

[Smills91]

Phoenix isn't going to trade for Artest -- for btoh chemistry and playing style reasons. They are not confusd like we are about who they are -- they play one style, Artest anotherm and never shall the twain meet.

Dropping that large salary looks enticing and Artest is actually an upgrade from Diaw to boot.

 

[nbrans]

Dropping that large salary looks enticing and Artest is actually an upgrade from Diaw to boot.

No, I agree with Bricklayer, they're going to be looking for someone to fit their style. Artest is too much of a ballhog and not good enough on the break for this to make sense.

 

[Bricklayer]

thats the very reason they won't take one of the bigs in the draft. They may take Hawes.

Noah or Jianlin (unfortunately). Perfect running bigs to complete their machine.

 

[sidney]

Phoenix isn't going to trade for Artest -- for btoh chemistry and playing style reasons. They are not confusd like we are about who they are -- they play one style, Artest anotherm and never shall the twain meet.

You're right, but Diaw isn't working this year either, whether that's because Amare is back or because he was reported to be out of shape this year...not sure. Colangalo is gone, they will likely lose again because of a poor defense, their back is to the wall on salary...who knows. Phoenix didn't do much last summer so it's hard to know what the decision makers are thinking.

 

[///M3///]

Artest for Diaw/4th pick?
Bibby for Theo/3rd pick?(on RealGm)

when will you stop Smills?

 

[piksi]

So... given everything that's happened with Artest this season and the general sense that the Kings will deal him in the offseason, what are the teams where he could possibly land? It's going to be a certain type of team -- probably not a team with shaky chemistry or a rebuilding team, but maybe a team that is willing to gamble to take the next leap. Some teams are going to be scared away by his rap sheet and history, others might be willing to take a gamble. Here's what I'm thinking about possible destinations.

LA Clippers
They flirted with the idea of adding him when he was the Pacers, and supposedly were interested last season before the trade broke down.

LA Lakers
Maloofs don't like to deal with the Lakers, but they have Phil Jackson and Kobe, hard to see how it wouldn't work. Trying to get back equal value from the Lakers is another story.

Miami Heat
Another team with strong leadership and coaching.

Minnesota Timberwolves
They have KG and they're desperate. Enough said.

New York
He's a local guy and they really could use him, but good luck trying to figure out a trade that makes sense from the Kings' perspective.

That's about all I can come up with. Can you think of any others?

Jail
Always a posibility with that lunatic

 

[nbrans]

Jail
Always a posibility with that lunatic

Hahaha

I forgot that one.

 

[Smills91]

No, I agree with Bricklayer, they're going to be looking for someone to fit their style. Artest is too much of a ballhog and not good enough on the break for this to make sense.

As a SG or SF yes I agree, but as a PF on offense and a SF on defense I think he could fit in very well for them.

 

[ParniValjak]

No, think you've likely got the core list there.

Knicks -- may be a real chance. Have a hole at SF, Ron is the hometown boy, he and Zeke know each other, and Zeke now has security with that contract. Thing is all hey have is the #23 pick (because they gave Chicago their lottery pick) and a bunch of bad contracts, one of which we'd have to take to match. We might nab one of their kids in the deal, but it won't be David Lee, and so its softy PFs, unskilled SFs, or punk PGs with real 'tude problems. Meanwhile, which nasty contract do you take back? jared Jeffires? Jerome James? Quentin Richardson? Malik Rose? Not a single ender in the bunch either.

Heat -- heard Riles is coming back, makes it more likely

Clippers -- have to be disappointed + Ron and E.B. apparently like each other. Maggette and their #14?

Would you do this trade?

Artest and Thomas to New York
Francis and Frye to Sacramento.

You trade one attitude for another (Artest for Francis) and you get rid off one bad contract (Thomas) for another (Francis) albeit 2 years shorter. At the end of next season Francis is a HUGE expiring contract that would either give you a chance to get someone good for him from a team that wants to rebuild or a huge chunk of $$$$ is coming off the books.

You also get a softy PF/C that is a dodgy rebounder and a shotblocker but is young and gives you another flexible trading piece because there would be a team out that that would sign him up if we aren't interested.

Not sure if NY would do it though as they also appear to be cutting down on their payroll.

 

[ParniValjak]

Dropping that large salary looks enticing and Artest is actually an upgrade from Diaw to boot.

But Artest doesn't fit into the Suns run and gun, passing style. Artest is way too selfish for that system and he will disrupt their chemistry and certainly flow of the game.

Artest just doesn't fit into that system at all.

 

[Bricklayer]

No. Not remotely desperate enough to get rid of Artest to take back Francis. And Frye is a softie.

The Knicks would have to give us their pick before I'm talking to them at all. Adn as soon as they try to dump any fo their big $$ crap I am hanging up.