Ken Berger at CBSSports.com reports that Ron Artest will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Apparently, the Lakers will let Trevor Ariza go and will sign Ron Artest – another free agent that the Cavaliers had been making a heavy push, according to reports.
Reportedly Artest even had a face-to-face meeting with LeBron James this past Tuesday, but it looks as if Artest prefers the bright lights of Los Angeles to the cold winters of Cleveland.
If this indeed proves to be the cases, the Cavs’ free agent prospects are becoming limited quickly. Reports out of Boston have the Boston Three Party – Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce – along with coach Doc Rivers and team president Danny Ainge reaching out to Rasheed Wallace in Detroit. Wallace’s agent was traveling and could not be reached for comment.
Artest would have been a good fit for the Cavs. His 17.1 points and 5.2 rebounds would have been valued, but his lockdown defense would have been more of an asset.
If this pans out the Los Angeles Lakers have to be considered the favorite to repeat as NBA champions next season.
UPDATE: Is it me or is the Western Conference incestuous? Artest goes to live happily ever after with Kobe. Trevor Ariza, feeling disrespected, goes to the Houston Rockets, Artest’s apparent former team and the Cavaliers are left shadow dancing for now.
SI.com reports only that Wallace is receptive to the Celtics offer. He’s going to leverage his hand to the fullest. He knows that Boston would love to have him as a backup and that the Cavaliers along with the San Antonio Spurs would love to have his services as well. San Antonio finds itself in the same situation as Boston in Cleveland – working with the mid-level exception which is worth $5.6-5.8 million this year.
Logically speaking this is going to come down to the number of years that a team is willing to offer for ‘Sheed’s services.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
We must get Ariza as soon as possible. We cannot beat the
elites as constituted. He is more important than Bosch. He is
6 foot 8 can shoot the three and is a great defender. Danny
don’t fail here. I wanted Artest bad but Ron Ron is a head case
anyway. He would probably want somebody to fly him to Vegas
everynight so he could party. Ariza fits the Cavs mold. Sign him
now Danny or LBJ is gone.
Well we need to get a stretch forward and a long wing. Matt Barnes, Ariza (probably going to sign with the Rockets), Anthony Parker, David Lee etc..
There is also trades.
Come on Cavs let’s add to the momentum of King and the Witness Protector!!
Ariza to the Rockets. What now Danny Boat Shoes?
Why would Ariza go to the Rockets? WO Ron Ron and Yao
they are sunk.
They need a stretch forward and a long wing? Hey, how ’bout those terrific free agents Ferry signed before, Donyell Marshall and Sasha Pavlovic. They should both be available again very soon. Problem solved.