Mark Stevens, the agent for the Sacramento Kings' Ron Artest, said his client may not exercise the early termination option in his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season.
I received this as a "breaking news" email with the following text:
Anybody surprised to see Artest has apparently changed his mind??
![]()
I don't think "financially foolish" would automatically disqualify it. Discussing leaving your team to pursue a rap career would also be considered "financially foolish"...
Artest didnt really change his mind though, if you look back he said he will do whatever his agent thinks is best and just do whatever mark wants. Not saying this is great or defending anything though.I received this as a "breaking news" email with the following text:
Anybody surprised to see Artest has apparently changed his mind??
![]()
Would anyone have the cap space to sign him to a bigger contract? And of those does anyone need him? That could be an important factor for Artest financially. Doesn't make sense for him to opt out if no one is going to pay him. Oh well hopefully he stays in and we can trade him for something. BTW does he have to decide on his player option before or after the draft?
To expand on this, with Artest at his player option salary, our payroll is around $62 million. The luxury tax is $69 million. This gives us plenty of room to sign Beno and still be under the tax, while still pursuing Artest trade options either in the offseason or approaching the next deadline.
It's a really good scenario. Something tells me Petrie probably knew this going into the trade deadline.