Posted by djsunyc:

i would trade for artest.

i would trade the two expirings along with nate and balkman and throw-in morris to boot. tough to see the kings getting a better offer than 3 borderline 1st round picks for him.

i think an ALL IN strategy is the way to go with this team.

Agreed. You do what you have to, without giving up Lee. Artest is exactly what we need -- a defensive-minded small forward who can also score. We have enough head cases on this team that taking on one more won't matter. Who knows -- maybe their problems would all cancel each others' out, and they'd suddenly all turn normal.

Best package that Isiah should offer for Ron is this-

New York Trade Breakdown
Outgoing

Fred Jones
6-2 SG from Oregon
6.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.7 apg in 20.9 minutes

Dan Dickau
6-0 PG from Gonzaga
3.3 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.4 apg in 9.0 minutes

Nate Robinson
5-9 PG from Washington
10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 apg in 21.2 minutes

Randolph Morris
6-11 C from Kentucky
0.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.2 apg in 8.6 minutes


Incoming

Ron Artest
6-7 SF from St. John's
18.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.4 apg in 37.7 minutes



Successful Scenario

Posted by Ira:

The fact that he always wears out his welcome after a few years, makes it obvious that the teams he plays for feel that the negatives outweigh his great talent. He's a guy who's attitude can disrupt a team.

He alone had a problem on the Pacers. He played 3 years on the Bulls with no problem. The rest of his career was on Indiana and the Kings. Indiana was his only problem. If he didn't have that fight he would probably still be a Pacer. As far as the Kings he got them to the playoffs the year before.


Also just because a player gets traded or quote wears out their welcome does not mean they are a problem. If that was the case Detlef Schrempf, Steve Smith, Billups, Cassell would all be problem cases.

If he is a risk he would only be here for one year getting paid peanuts for what he can potentially provide for this team. Our team now can only probably win 41 games with Artest you are talking about 50 plus games. And a threat in the East. The way we structured right now who is really saying and believing we are a threat or can make the playoffs and get out of the first round?

Posted by Ira:

Are you kidding? The guy wants to skip out of practices. He says the offense should go through him. Why do you think the Kings are making getting rid of him a priority? It's not because of his defense; it's not because of his overall talent level.

Do you believe he would do that as a Knick?

Also do you see anyone else on the Kings team that offense should be ran through? For a coach to suggest on that team that the offense be ran through anyone else on that Kings team is a joke. It's not like it is the Pistons, Heat, Dallas, Suns, or Spurs. Also I never heard of him missing practice on the Kings. But I will take your word for it.

The Kings also want to get rid of everyone except Kevin Martin and their rookies.



[Edited by - BigC on 07-04-2007 09:58 AM]

You know, Ron could help this situation along by simply stating he'd opt out after next year.

The problem with that is that it would tarnish what little image (if any) he has left. I also suspect that for the most part Ron's cool with the Maloofs and doesn't want to screw them.

His agent being the person to send any subtle messages stated yesterday "have no doubt, Ron loves Isiah"

So any team that decides to trade for him is gonna ask him if he's going to opt out and they're gonna require him to be very clear.

Imo, just stand pat. There are maybe 4 teams in the East that would honestly even consider trying to put something together for Artest.Definites: NY, Miami and Longshots: Cleveland and maybe NJ (i.e. a RJ swap and their new no character movement: M. Williams and now S. Williams)

Translation, we only have one opponent for Artest right now and that's Riles and the Heat. I say be patient, swap the expirings in August and hang onto Lee and Balkman (and I hope Morris also).

Posted by n24d30:

This is a risk you have to take if your the knicks! Think about it. At best, right now, we are a 1st round exit from the playoffs.
With Artest behaving we are contenders for the Eastern crown. If it backfires we miss the playoffs and he either opts out of his contract(which is an option he has) or he is an Expiring contract of $8 million. He is a better player than Lewis and $60 million cheaper!
Get him!

There are other/better routes than this. Why does Isiah have to target a malcontent? How about FA-to be Amir Johnson on Detroit? Or why not just give Balkman starter minutes at the 3?

I don't think IT would give up DLee to get Artest when if he waited he could probably get him next year. Artest adds to what he already have with DLee, swapping them just kind of puts us back in the same spot. I think Thomas realizes that you need a guy like DLee on a team. He does all the little things. IT played with a guy like that in Rodman, so he knows the importance of an all hustle rebound guy.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/46923/20070705/playing_in_ny_would_be_childhood_dream_for_artest/

Playing In NY Would Be 'Childhood Dream' For Artest
July 5, 2007 - 1:44 pm
RealGM -
On Thursday, RealGM's Christopher Reina spoke with Mark Stevens, the agent for Ron Artest, about the possibility that his client could be traded to the Knicks.

Mr. Stevens said that the Artest camp is waiting to hear something "legitimate and forthright" and indicated that his client would welcome the opportunity to return home. "Ron is a New Yorker," Stevens told RealGM, "so if that does happen, that would be one of his childhood dreams."

He averaged 18.8 points per game last season with Sacramento.

Artest is a native of Queensbridge and he played college basketball for St. John's University, which play many of their home games at Madison Square Garden.

Posted by BigC:

Posted by Ira:

Are you kidding? The guy wants to skip out of practices. He says the offense should go through him. Why do you think the Kings are making getting rid of him a priority? It's not because of his defense; it's not because of his overall talent level.

Do you believe he would do that as a Knick?

Also do you see anyone else on the Kings team that offense should be ran through? For a coach to suggest on that team that the offense be ran through anyone else on that Kings team is a joke. It's not like it is the Pistons, Heat, Dallas, Suns, or Spurs. Also I never heard of him missing practice on the Kings. But I will take your word for it.

The Kings also want to get rid of everyone except Kevin Martin and their rookies.



[Edited by - BigC on 07-04-2007 09:58 AM]

Yeah, I do believe he's do it as a Knick. This is the guy who wanted to leave his team (it was the Pacers) to do a publicity tour for his hip hop album.

As far as running the offense, they could run it through Martin, Bibby or SAR.