Artest headed to one of the Texas Triangle spots?

[MapleLeaf]

From hoopsworld.com

I've talked about this before, and it was kind of a no-brainer when the Dallas Mavericks hired Rick Carlisle as their new head coach. Carlisle took a few minutes out of his introductory press conference to all but invite Artest to join him in Dallas. He sang Artest's praises for a full 2-3 minutes and talked about how much he loved working with him Indiana and how much he would love the opportunity to work with him again.

Of course, at that time Artest was saying he didn't plan to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Kings, and besides that the Mavericks can't afford to make him much of an offer.

Well, yesterday all of that changed. Now Artest is saying he may opt out after all, and that he would take less money to play for a contender. Of course, the Mavericks aren't contenders any more - not even on paper. The question for Artest and Carlisle becomes: are the Mavs, with Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, contenders if you add Artest to the mix at a bargain price?

Frankly, it will take a lot of loyalty on the part of Artest for him to attempt to be the savior of the Mavericks, who have truly backed themselves into a corner by trading for Kidd's contract. They have little money to spend and as many as eight roster spots to fill. Their biggest competition for Artest's services will likely be the other two Texas teams. Artest also played for Rick Adelman in Sacramento, and Adelman has a roster that could truly be Artest away from a championship. Meanwhile the San Antonio Spurs have cap space and roster spots to fill, and if Popovich is willing to take a chance on some of the extra-curricular issues that come with Artest.

Carlisle will certainly make his pitch, but if Artest does indeed opt out of his contract don't be surprised to see him wind up with one of the other Texas Triangle teams.

 

[.GR]

He's not opting out.

 

[.GR]

"My agent [Mark Stevens] wants me to have a chance to prove that I can win games [in Sacramento]," Artest said. "So we are not considering opting out.

"Next summer can be a bigger [free-agent] summer for me if the Kings win big, which is ... anything else is a failure. I really don't want to be considered one of the best wing defenders of all-time and not have a ring."

Yesterday

 

[MapleLeaf]

Still in a trade it might be possible this next season. To someone who might rent him. This article gos more with that instead of him opting out. If the Kings don't have a good team next year and aren't really a contender, he might consider a trade.

 

[.GR]

Yeah, a sign and trade would probably be most likely. Maybe to Houston involving Aaron Brooks and a 1st?

 

[DJT]

I honestly don't want him on the Mavs. Sure he would be good, but with Kidd in their and Jones and several other old guys, I don't think this would be a wise move 2-3 years down the road. Unless they could workout a deal where they get a young guy to.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Jones is gone btw. So is Juwan Howard.

Word is that Antoine Wright will officialy take over as a backup now

 

[RipCity32]

Artest is only 29?

 

[DJT]

Jones is gone btw. So is Juwan Howard.

Word is that Antoine Wright will officialy take over as a backup now

Good, thats who I wanted in there. I want him to start getting sometime.

But what about George??

 

[MapleLeaf]

IDK about him

 

[DJT]

Me neither, but I'm kinda hoping they can get rid of him....make room for someone they draft or sign someone.