Truth & Rumors > NBA
If Lakers trade, Artest wants out?
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02:26 PM ET 02.02 | GM Mitch Kupchak, coach Phil Jackson and LA icon Magic Johnson just did what franchise pillars of their stature rarely do -- something Lakers officials never do, really -- by announcing to the world that the teetering two-time champs might need to make a trade. Why? Simple. The Lakers have been so uncharacteristically public about the potential benefits of an injection of new blood because they know, with a league-high $90.4 million payroll and such limited trade assets, that threatening this locker room with a shakeup move is a far simpler gamble to execute than shaking things up with an actual deal before the Feb. 24 trading deadline. However ... I'm told that there's at least one prominent Laker who hopes he's the guy who gets shipped out in the next 20-odd days. One source close to the situation insists that Ron Artest wants out. Asked to react to that, Artest's agent David Bauman declined comment. This is where I'm obligated to remind you that no one in the NBA can change his mind faster than the famously fickle Ron-Ron. Another pertinent disclaimer: Artest's play has been sufficiently sluggish in the second season of a five-year deal that whatever he wants is bound to be greeted by shrugs and scoffs, no matter how much he gave the Lakers in the epic final game of last season.
Ron Artest, AP
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Comments (93) Add A Comment
Lakers better come to their senses. Without Artest they're toast... especially with Kobe's gimpy knees who will guard the perimeter?
Lostwill
Natick , MA
Total Comments (5255)
this could get real interesting
Luvher_501
Total Comments (18287)
Alright that settles it Ron is crazy.......and I'm referring to how quickly and drastically his mood changes.
JkShaz821
Total Comments (13016)
Lakers need to kill this drama quickly like the Nuggets did...
Lostwill
Natick , MA
Total Comments (5255)
Depends upon who we could get in return,..
Spock Lee
Total Comments (3088)
If Lakers make a trade their season is over. Celts will win easily. Boy do the Celtics have bigs? It's like a buncha old guys got together and instead playing golf they decided to play basketball instead so they can create trepidations in Miami and Los Angeles...ur shook!
Lostwill
Natick , MA
Total Comments (5255)
The Lakers won't get equivalent value in return so why? Artest is the only 'tough' player that we have so getting rid of him would not be wise. Who would take his place? Luke?
LBS - Get Well KB24
Total Comments (6700)
Is crazy Ron going to throw a "tantrum" if you don't let him off the team though? And do you think that potential distraction is worth keeping him?
JkShaz821
Total Comments (13016)
everyone knows that ron is crazy. bird should try to bring him back to the pacers.
boilerhoosier
Total Comments (5)
So, trading Bynum for Granger is out of the question? I'd venture to say that Artest has lost them more games than he's won them this year.
Mauer83
Lake Ozark , MO
Total Comments (15)
It would probably be detrimental to the Lakers' hopes this year, but maybe it is time to consider moving Mr. Lamar Kardashian and getting Kobe a new running mate. No doubt about it though...Ronny Artest has got...to...go....
Whatchutalkinbout?
Total Comments (2)
So where would Ron-Ron go and what would that team give up for him. Does he want to head home to Gotham.
D-Wilbert
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (1)
Everyone is making Artest the scapegoat for the Laker problems. When things go bad, the blame is on everyone, including the coach. Once you start pointing fingers there is no end.......
Tell Kobe to quit hogging the ball.
Tell Pau to man up.
Tell Fisher to take a seat on the bench.
Tell Shannon to stop pretending to be Kobe.
Tell Bynum to quit getting injured.
Tell Walton to retire.
The Lakers need to start working together not against each other. <sigh>
LBS - Get Well KB24
Total Comments (6700)
Kobe and Fish have always been tough. Ron ron is not being tough this year.
Did you see how Pierce ate him for breakfast?
Now maybe he can still become effective again. Maybe not.
Nobody knows. Completely unpredictable guy. Still haven't learn the triangle though :(.
If Barnes was healthy Ron would be disposable but will Barnes be back for the playoffs?
Damon Deville
Total Comments (770)
LOL, that's an excellent 6 step program :).
Damon Deville
Total Comments (770)
Actually I've long defended the move for Artest, but the question remains (and I don't know the answer, I'm legitimately asking) if he is going to be a legitimate distraction do you hang on to him because you know he has worked in the system before and this might go away particularly if they shape up and get on a roll or do you roll the dice just in case it doesn't go away and/or can't be solved.
JkShaz821
Total Comments (13016)
Oops meant to quote you on my other post.
JkShaz821
Total Comments (13016)
Not at the cost of LO...he isn't going anywhere. As a matter of fact he has shown the most consistency this season than the prior seaons he's been a Laker.
Lakersallday
Total Comments (57305)
If Kobe and LO were to talk to him, I think he will get back under control. The problem is his grasp of the Triangle. Maybe if the Lakers ran a couple of plays for him, "feed the dawg" sort of speak, he would settle down. Kobe can surely give up 3 or 4 of his attempts in favor of a teammate.
Everyone wants to be wanted. To feel as they are part of the team. Pushing Artest to the side will hurt the Lakers.
LBS - Get Well KB24
Total Comments (6700)
No one would want the garbage that is Ron Artest at this point. He was one of the best defenders, and a good slasher 5 years ago. He's too much of a liability, and uninspired. If he can't get motivated enough to play for a championship team, how in hells name would he be motivated to play in a medicore team.
He obviously won't be traded to a contending team for obvious reasons.
Quite frankly no one would want any player on the Lakers team besides Gasol. Trading for Kobe at this point would be insane. As great of a player he is, the demand for him would be outrageous. The rest of the team outside Kobe and Gasol is complete garbage or washed up players.
KingAbe:
Auburn , AL
Total Comments (95)
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