The Conundrum: To Trade or Not To Trade Ron Artest?

[Jerichoholic]

I know there has been a lot of talk lately regarding this topic and while I've been thinking a lot about it to give an opinion I'm honestly torn. So I wanted to share both sides of what I'm thinking and get your opinions.

To Not Trade: Ron has really shown this year that he is a big time player, as a team the Kings instantly became better when he returned. He makes big plays down the stretch whether they be baskets, rebounds, steals, strong man on man defense, he's done it all. He really makes the Kings' defense go all game long and does a good job on the boards. Offensively he provides our only inside presence with our mostly permeter oriented team. He's only 28 years old and will still be productive down the road.

To Trade: I'm not sure that Ron fits the style of play that Theus is trying to install. He really slows down our offense as he seems to be the first option and holds on to the ball way too long. He also looks to shoot first everytime he touches the ball, he's a good passer but a slow reactor. We rarely fast break with him on the floor. One has to wonder that even though he makes big plays down the stretch would we be in better position down the stretch if it wasn't for him slowing us down earlier in the game. We also have John Salmons who even though he ball hogs as well he is a much better creator and fits the fast paced style better. His trade value will also never be higher than it is right now.

It's a tough decision, if he gets traded we will be a worse team...THIS YEAR. But what about later on, will our young guys develop better and with better chemistry with him gone? Is there a better style of player for our SF position out there?

 

[PFFFT!!]

Not yet. I'd wait for Bibby and see how we do first. Unless of course someone offers a no-brainer for Artest, then duh. Other than that, patience.

 

[Kingzrool]

Keep Ron, Trade Bibby.

 

[Merdiesel]

Keep Ron, Trade Bibby.

Completely agree.

 

[kennadog]

Keep Ron, Trade Bibby.

If it's this season you want a trade, then it's going to be easier to trade Ron, before the trade deadline.

 

[allrightythen]

The reasons to trade Artest are not on-court reasons. Its been said many times that he's a ticking time-bomb. Its just a matter of time before something else happens and he won't be able to play. Trade him when you can.

 

[piksi]

I would trade Ron Artest without thinking twice especially since we already have all the flexible pieces

 

[kupman]

I think that this is kind of a mute point. I don't think that there is much doubt that the Kings have been trying to move Ron for quite some time and will continue to do so until they find a decent return for him.

Not so much a matter of "if" but "when."

 

[Gary]

I would like to trade Ron because he pretty much does not fit our play style. Since he has come back from suspension he has taken the most shots on the team.. Artest is not the 1st option on this team. Frankly I think K-Marts game suffers when Ron is on the floor. The teams passing ability also drops sharply because Ron doesn't pass the ball much.

Bottom line... Might as well get what we can for Ron now, because w/ Salmons in his spot we really don't have much of a drop off, plus Ron will probably leave at the end of the year. If we could get a 2008 pick for him, plus a PF I would be a happy guy.

Heck, Artest to Cleveland for AV.. I would do that too.

 

[Arena Skeptic]

They're both hard to trade

Bibby, while an above-average point guard, has a salary next year that makes him untradable.

Artest just really damages the flow of some games. 7 for 24 last night. Ouch.

Don't think other GMs don't notice.

My biggest problem with Artest is that 1) he's a head case, and 2) he doesn't respond to coaching. His fourth quarter last night was inexcusable.

I've said it before, and I suppose I'll say it again, that between Artest, Bibby, KT, SAR and Miller, the team has five players that are structurally untradable, and it's all because of contracts that can and will expire. In the cases of KT and SAR, I suppose they can suck it up and try for a buyout, but even if they do that, his salary still counts against the cap. And why would he accept 2/3 of what the Kings have already agreed to give him?

The Kings currently have the third-worst record in the West, and I think there's only one way to fix that: Let contracts expire. It'll be a painful 3 years, but it's like walking through a forest; you'll get to the other side eventually if you just keep walking. Trying to build a boat out of the trees in the forest will probably result in a boat that won't float (if only you could find a river to put it in).

If you can find a GM to take Artest (or any of my big 5, for that matter), I'd say to go for it. He's young enough to contribute on a very good team (I can envision him on Cleveland). Around here, he'll be around for a few 25-40 win teams, then just leave. Won't matter how great his stats are; pointless money paid to gain nothing. As long as the Kings have 3 or more of their 5 pointlessly large contracts on their roster, this team will go nowhere.

 

[Jerichoholic]

The truth is we really don't know if the Kings have been trying to move him or not. You get the speculation from guys like Grant Napear who is right less often than a magic 8 ball. You get made up trades in the New York Post daily. Other than that we just don't know.

Regarding Bibby I think it will be another case of Chris Webber, we will play worse with him. Beno's style of play fits this team better and truthfully today's NBA better. I'm not saying Beno is better than Bibby but this offense needs a guy who can shoot AND penetrate, a guy who can create for others. Bibby is more of a shooting guard playing the point.

At least Ron is auditioning right now, he actually would be a nice fit on contending teams, maybe they'll be willing to part with more during the trade deadline rather than the offseason, the playoffs are more in sight during this time.

 

[BMiller52]

Keep Ron, Trade Bibby.

Trade both.

 

[Jechtsphere]

Trade both.

I agree.

Even with all Ron's talent who really wants him?

Well they want him but they aren't giving up anything good for him.

 

[AyeCarly]

The reasons to trade Artest are not on-court reasons. Its been said many times that he's a ticking time-bomb. Its just a matter of time before something else happens and he won't be able to play. Trade him when you can.

This is definitely a conundrum. People assume he will do something wrong so the answer is to trade him.
So we pawn him off to another team and let him explode somewhere else.
That doesn't seem very ethical to me from a people standpoint.

This is where we need to see that winning isn't everything and this is still just a game.

All that being said, at this point I would trade him for a rebounder/shot blocker.

GO KINGS!!!

 

[Big Cuz 15]

man, my team sucks so i'm gonna retire.. 24 hrs later.. oh s*** i changed my mind, i want to un-retire. if there is such a thing as un-retire. stupidity like that cannot be changed.

can't beat having a leader like that around for our young guys.

 

[Kingzrool]

man, my team sucks so i'm gonna retire.. 24 hrs later.. oh s*** i changed my mind, i want to un-retire. if there is such a thing as un-retire. stupidity like that cannot be changed.

can't beat having a leader like that around for our young guys.

I do not think any one takes his lead on the business end of the game, hell he has managed to make himself one of the best deals in the league. But his leadership on the floor is needed, it really is a value to have the young guys around a player like Ron.

 

[Glenn]

man, my team sucks so i'm gonna retire.. 24 hrs later.. oh s*** i changed my mind, i want to un-retire. if there is such a thing as un-retire. stupidity like that cannot be changed.

can't beat having a leader like that around for our young guys.

Ron Ron is very emotional and unfortunately frequently has a microphone stuck in his face when he is being emotional. It's not stupidity. He's impulsive and that is the root of what gets him into trouble. If anyone wants a professional view on certain types of troubled people, it might be slightly reassuring to know that as people mature they tend to get into less trouble with their impulsiveness. Unfortunately, his next blow up is likely to come before he attains maturity.

I doubt very much that rookies are confused by him. He works his butt of trying to help the young ones and they couldn't have a better teacher at certain parts of the NBA game.

I like Ron Ron and will state what I have stated before: he is an extraordinary athlete - the kind most teams normally would want - and is worth the risk. Just an opinion.

 

[Fear the Putin]

artest is a great player and all, but not as good as he thinks he is...

He can easily shoot you into a game and shoot out as well....ala last nights Warriors game.

He stalls the offense because he adores going one on one. For example when Stephen Jackson smashed a three on us, Artest quickly lunged back just to brick one in a matter of 3-4 seconds with the entire team behind him.

Last night proved how much we miss Bibby. That go to guy you can count on even if he is 2-15, but can nail the next three shots.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

artest is a great player and all, but not as good as he thinks he is...

Precisely; Artest's biggest problem, on-the-court-wise, is that he thinks he's in the same class as Kobe Bryant.

 

[dude12]

Artest is a stud. I'd rather keep the guy. You can trade him and replace him in the lineup with Salmons or Cisco but they are not in the same class. Trade Bibby.

 

[SacTownKid]

Hey I'd love to keep Ron Artest but the reality is that if we don't trade him there is a good chance we stand to either a) lose him for nothing or b) sign him to a long term big money contract in which his trade value becomes practically nothing if something happens.

Now ask yourself this: If your team needs to rebuild, is it so smart to be giving out multiple big money, multi-year contracts before you have even started? We just locked up Kevin, I don't think if push comes to shove the Kings are going to lock up Ron in a similar or even larger deal than his. Ron may be our only chance to dump some salary with his contract do it's rather small sum (by NBA standards), and with little risk to the team taking him on considering he is in a contract year.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Trade him.

 

[Glenn]

If you are going to rebuild a team, it is customary to rebuild around someone. Artest is our best athlete. Is that debateable?

I'd like to hear the scenario of Artest leaving without us getting anything in return. If that happens, he loses his Bird rights and the opportunity to make more money than he is now. It is the rare team that is under the cap enough to give him the kind of money he can make by retaining his Bird rights. He is active in the community. The organization has expressed their appreciation of him. His coach has called him the anchor of the team.

But first there is the money. It is the very rare athlete that will jeopardize the possibility of making a lot of money.

It's a tiresome subject for me because I will bet a lot of money that no one will change their mind or even considers that Ron could do ANYTHING that would cause them to change their mind.

 

[fnordius]

I'm of the "trade both" persuasion. Foibles and styles of play aren't even concerns, ends of contracts are. It won't be fun, they and Kevin are our three most productive players, and nobody else is very close. But there's no good to be had in waiting until they leave.

 

[Smills91]

Ron isyoung enough to keep as the savvy vet leader for our rebuilt franchise. He has 5-6 prime years left ahead of him. Him and Martin can be a dynamic duo, and there's a good relationship between the two. I think we need to trade Mike for a rebounding stud(David Lee). If we took on Marbury who's causing all sorts of problems in NY, the Knicks very well might part with him and take an on-the-court/off-the-court upgrade in Mike Bibby.

 

[Jerryaki]

Ron isyoung enough to keep as the savvy vet leader for our rebuilt franchise.

but there's always the chance that he may self-destruct once you've got him for the long haul, which is a risk that i wouldn't be willing to take. also, what type of contract would be suitable now that he's moving off of his cheap one?

 

[thenbakings]

trade artest

I say we trade him. He is a good player and I think would be even better if he would quit forcing things. I think he has hurt us at the end of ballgames when we really need to get off a good shot and he runs the shot clock down and then shoots a fade away or passes off to someone at the last second and they have to jack one up. I just don't think he fits in the style of team we have now and are trying to build for the future. I think K-Mart would flourish more with him gone.

 

[Jerichoholic]

I would say that after the Knicks debacle last night that right now might be the prime time to make the Artest trade...if there is one to be made. They are falling apart in New York and they appear desperate to do anything and they need to appease the fans as well.

 

[dude12]

I say we trade him. He is a good player and I think would be even better if he would quit forcing things. I think he has hurt us at the end of ballgames when we really need to get off a good shot and he runs the shot clock down and then shoots a fade away or passes off to someone at the last second and they have to jack one up. I just don't think he fits in the style of team we have now and are trying to build for the future. I think K-Mart would flourish more with him gone.

You may be correct in the fact that KMart could flourish without Artest in the fold but it doesn't make us better. He's our best player. He's our toughest player. He's playing defense against just about anyone, including centers. If and I stress if, Petrie gets the right offer in place for him, meaning talent coming back, then I would trade him. I do not want to see him traded for expiring contracts. Your throwing away a highly talented player if you do that.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Ron Ron is very emotional and unfortunately frequently has a microphone stuck in his face when he is being emotional. It's not stupidity. He's impulsive and that is the root of what gets him into trouble. If anyone wants a professional view on certain types of troubled people, it might be slightly reassuring to know that as people mature they tend to get into less trouble with their impulsiveness. Unfortunately, his next blow up is likely to come before he attains maturity.

I doubt very much that rookies are confused by him. He works his butt of trying to help the young ones and they couldn't have a better teacher at certain parts of the NBA game.

I like Ron Ron and will state what I have stated before: he is an extraordinary athlete - the kind most teams normally would want - and is worth the risk. Just an opinion.

thats just stupidity. what is his motive? can't he discusss this behind closed doors? doesn't he have his wife or teammates to talk to about this? if he wants to be traded wouldn't this destroy the teams bargaining position ala pacers when they sent his a** home bc he couldn't keep his trap shut.