I see what you're saying, but I'm not just going off what they're saying but rather where their first offers are. Miami is definitely out of it IMO because there is seemingly no interest and that fits the idea that they really have nothing to gain from Artest, the lakers are offering like Farmar, Mihm, and Ariza right now; to me that's a pretty low starting off point and considering that the lakers do not need Artest I don't see how that ends up with them taking on the worst package for them in Kenny Thomas. Same with Dallas, although there is a better chance of Dallas doing it since Cuban is more willing to spend the money than Buss is. Dallas and LA are not dealing out of desperation and they're both hanging tough in negotiations, there is a long time to go, but they obviously do not want Thomas.
Well, one thing is for sure. No one wants Kenny Thomas contract. I think its way to early for the Kings to give up on trying to deal Thomas with Artest, but eventually they might have to. For be it for me to know the interworkings of Petrie's mind, but it appears he would rather eat the last year of Artest's contract than trade him for less than his value.
I think its a double edged sword with Petrie. Having been a player, he always seems to take the players prospective into account. Look at how Camby reacted when he thought he had been traded for basicly nothing after giving years of all star service defensively.
Players do look at those things and remember. Regardless of how we preceive Artest, he is liked by his teammates and players around the league. I think Petrie wants to move him, but at the same time, I think he doesn't want Artest, or other playes around the league, to think he's being disrespected.
Knowing Petrie, when the trade finally comes down, it will be with a team that none of us considered, and will be a total surprise. Think about it. Petrie says absolutely nothing. To me, that means that everything were hearing is coming from the other teams. I doubt that their agenda is to give us a good deal, therefore its propaganda. I'm not saying that the Kings won't send out countermeasures from unknown sources, I just think that some of the trade proposals are wishful thinking by other teams.
I have no doubt that Dallas made the offer that was reported. According to news sources, they admit to the offer. They also reported our counter offer, which makes sense. Who knows how much truth is in the report. They could very well be open to trading Howard, but want to publicly look like they put up a struggle, but in the end, had no choice. My point is, that their front office has admitted to conversations. The Kings front office has adimitted to nothing.
Who would have thought that a player, with so little relevance on the floor, would have so much relevance in the future of the Kings.
