Artest: 'I made a mistake by not opting out'

[.GR]

After seeing Elton Brand and Baron Davis unexpectedly put themselves on the free-agent market, Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest is second-guessing himself for not doing the same.

Artest told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he wishes now he had opted for unrestricted free agency, like Brand and Davis, instead of electing to play out the final year of his contract with the Kings next season at $7.4 million.


Artest also conceded that his long-term future is likely not in Sacramento, saying via e-mail: "I don't see myself with [the] Kings beyond 2008-09.


"I think I made the biggest mistake by staying in my contract and I have to live with it," Artest said. "I had some misleading information [in making the] decision on not opting out. [But] I still thank G-d for all his blessings and being able to play basketball and help people."


Artest let his opportunity to become a free agent pass Monday as he had been vowing to do for weeks. The 28-year-old preferred to put off free agency until next summer, figuring that he'd likely only generate contract offers this summer starting at the mid-level exception -- which was $5.4 million last season -- and believing that a big 2008-09 season would increase his chances of securing a long-term deal from either the Kings or someone else.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3469895

 

[Whisper]

Damned right he made a mistake. He coulda been a Laker... but noooo.

 

[Mexi]

LMAO
coulda come south to play with Kobe and his boy LO, but he wanted his money and because of it he must now suffer in cow town

 

[.GR]

Hes an idiot, just when I thought he couldnt change his mind again...

 

[MapleLeaf]

come to dallas with your former coach where you excelled under

 

[.GR]

For Josh Howard? Sure.

 

[Pugz]

LMAO
coulda come south to play with Kobe and his boy LO, but he wanted his money and because of it he must now suffer in cow town

That what I wanted him to do, the Lakers woulda been a force.