Truth & Rumors > NBA

Artest regrets Kings decision

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When Ron Artest attended the National Basketball Players Association meetings in the Bahamas recently, some of his most respected colleagues implored him to opt out of his contract and join forces with their respective teams. When Artest attended Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Boston, he instantly sparked speculation that he could be the missing piece alongside Kobe Bryant for a Los Angeles Lakers team that fell short in its title run. But when the small forward and his agent, Mark Stevens, had a conference call with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie on Tuesday morning, one day after Artest decided to play the final season of his contract with the Kings for $7.4 million, the hoops love Artest had been feeling was nowhere to be found. Several sources close to the team said Artest entered with the hopes of discussing a lucrative, long-term extension ??? but was told the Kings were not prepared to take part in such talks. The message, quite clearly, is that he was not a part of their long-term plans. Artest was told to play out the season and be prepared to either be traded or revisit the issue next summer, when he would be an unrestricted free agent.

Sacramento Bee

Ron Artest, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Ron Artest, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

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July 3, 2008  07:47 AM ET
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I guess there could be a Lamar Odom for Artest rumor pop up soon

July 3, 2008  08:28 AM ET
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artest with LAL is a good one. just what they need. he provides exactly the type of game they lack

July 3, 2008  08:55 AM ET
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what the lakers lack?
oh yeah thats right they a bunch a s0ftc0(ks

artest on the same team as kryobe - phil jackson doesnt want kryobe to have his jaw busted aint gonna happen laker dreamers

July 3, 2008  09:12 AM ET
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Atlanta pull the trigger for a sign and trade of Josh Smith with Artest, before you get nothing for losing Josh

July 3, 2008  10:19 AM ET
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Ron Artest sucks. You would ha ve to be crazy to give him a long term extension. The Lakers are respectable, they don't need to bring in any thugs.

July 3, 2008  10:28 AM ET
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Hey, Ron ... ****.

July 3, 2008  10:35 AM ET
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Ron Artest is over-rated

July 3, 2008  10:44 AM ET
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Ron-Ron screws up yet again. I would love to see him with the Lakers but no way do the Kings do that deal. If the Kings do trade Ron Artest it's to an Eastern Conference team.

July 3, 2008  11:10 AM ET
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HA!!!!!..... I love it when Artest gets screwed over

July 3, 2008  11:25 AM ET
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Shouldnt Artest or his agent have found out BEFORE the opt out deadline if they were intested in negotiating a long term contract? Boneheads

July 3, 2008  11:31 AM ET
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If Ron still has the same agent, he's crazier than I thought.

This is exactly what your agent is "not" supposed to allow to happen.

If what he wanted was a long term deal the way to get it is to "opt out" and see if anyone will offer it to you and, if so, whether the team will match it to keep you.

He played his hand and the Kings bought him cheap then left the cash on the nightstand.

July 3, 2008  12:47 PM ET
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You can't teach stupid.............

I'm not saying that the not opting out is dumb-
just that HE is

unfortunately for Ron, he has a history of silly, poor & dumb decisions

July 3, 2008  01:33 PM ET
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Seriously...has Artest ever had a decision he didn't regret later???

July 3, 2008  02:20 PM ET
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Much fun to see Artest's stupidity displayed yet again. I'd love to see the Lakers do a deal for Artest. Petrie is a shrewd operator and would take Kupchak to the cleaners. No dumbass Memphis GM to **** and take it this time!

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July 3, 2008  03:00 PM ET
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Artest making just a pittance more than Luke Walton is a Travesty. Now THAT IS stupid on Artest's part and Lakers'.

July 3, 2008  03:02 PM ET
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Wow - his agent just cost him millions plus he stays on a losing team. Ouch.

July 3, 2008  03:05 PM ET
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If Artest came to the Lakers, we would have the two most hated players on our team in the League, which makes the Lakers officially the most hated team coached by maybe, the most hated coach?

July 3, 2008  03:17 PM ET
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the zen master is the most hated coach? y? and kobe's getting some respect back, but ron's a different story.

 
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