[jjgold]

Great move

Ron Artest


Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he's leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers.


Artest
In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."
ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports that Artest and the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement on what is believed to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $18 million. Wednesday is the first day free agents are permitted to sign new deals.
Artest's decision was first reported by CBSSports.com. The mercurial swingman was initially courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his text message, Artest said that he met Thursday with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and had spoken to coach Phil Jackson about the move to Los Angeles, where Artest has been spending his offseasons.
Artest's forthcoming arrival strongly suggests that unrestricted free agent Trevor Ariza -- who played such a pivotal run in the Lakers' championship run -- is bound to leave the team. Broussard reported Wednesday that, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, Ariza was likely to leave the Lakers for a new team because L.A. was reluctant to sign him to a contract starting above the league's $5.6 million mid-level exception, even after Ariza's postseason success.
Ariza has been courted by numerous teams, including Cleveland, and met Thursday in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to possibly swap spots with Artest.

[pozzy]

This is gonna make me hate the Lakers.. Go Cavs!!

[KingRevolver]

There's no way the Lakers lose next year if they stay healthy. Great move. My Suns gets worse...

[Reload]

Unusual when the world champs can get even better but it just happened. Especially come playoff time, Artest will pay big dividends. Just hope it's not like when Karl Malone went to the Lakeshow at the end looking for a ring and couldn't get it done.

[james4512]

imagine if they get a steady pg. Yeah fisher has had his moments but hes old now and i dont think farmar is the guy but still they look good for next year

[frostno98]

He's going to affect team chemistry. 3 superstars on the same team is a dysfunctional formula waiting to happen.

[BobHarvey]

I don't know if there are enough technical fouls to go around with Kobe and Artest. No disrespect to Trevor Ariza because he had a big part in winning the title, but I'd take Artest over Ariza in a heartbeat.

It's going to be tough rooting for Artest though. He's always been one of my least favorite NBA players.

[paco]

Can we say REPEAT!!!

[lakerboy]

He's going to affect team chemistry. 3 superstars on the same team is a dysfunctional formula waiting to happen.

right just like boston with the big 3 eh frostno- once again nuggets on outside looking in- lakers were going to repeat anyway but now its in the bank

[lakerboy]

kid the lakers always make big moves im used to that as a fan of the nba's best franchise

[lakerboy]

i already called a 3peat at the end of the season

[jjgold]

[lakerboy]

well maybe shaq will do it. personally i was hoping the lakers got kidd. he would have been the perfect fit. Artest can be a great player but he is volatile. Then again Phil will kep him under wraps. The Lakers will be good this year and Bynum will get better and better watch. If they stay injury free nobody can beat them.

[lakerboy]

good for ariza. the cavs have to do everything they can for the king(james not revolver). it will be an epic showdown but kobe will prevail

[WileOut]

If Ariza goes to the Cavs and they somehow keep Mo Williams and West, the Cavs are right there with the Lakers in terms of talent. Next year Lebron will be a good bit better than Kobe. Artest is not nearly the defensive player he once was, it could be argued that Ariza is a better player than Artest, and he is younger. Certainly Ariza was better in the playoffs last year than Artest was. Plus Garnett will be healthy, who knows how good the Celtics will be.

Artest is no threat at all on offense except as a spot-up shooter. He is an offensive foul machine when he tries to drive, and he is nowhere near the defensive presence he once was. Keeping Ariza would have been a much better move for the Lakers.

[Enfuego]

He's going to affect team chemistry. 3 superstars on the same team is a dysfunctional formula waiting to happen.

Ron Artest is not an NBA superstar. One All Star game in 9 years. Good solid NBA player but not a superstar.

[lakerboy]

If Ariza goes to the Cavs and they somehow keep Mo Williams and West, the Cavs are right there with the Lakers in terms of talent. Next year Lebron will be a good bit better than Kobe. Artest is not nearly the defensive player he once was, it could be argued that Ariza is a better player than Artest, and he is younger. Certainly Ariza was better in the playoffs last year than Artest was. Plus Garnett will be healthy, who knows how good the Celtics will be.

Artest is no threat at all on offense except as a spot-up shooter. He is an offensive foul machine when he tries to drive, and he is nowhere near the defensive presence he once was. Keeping Ariza would have been a much better move for the Lakers.

agreed but it came down to money and odom. The lakers didnt want to spend more than 5-6 on Ariza and Odom was their priority. I still think Artest will be good enough next year and dont forget when you play on a a very good team you can look better than you are and that applies to Ariza and Artest.

[Chuck Sims]

Hold on. Ron Artest aka dumb chimp. I watched this fool blow playoff games with the Pacers. Ariza played big in the playoffs. They'll miss him.

[yisman]

great title as always, jj.

I'd rather have Ariza.

[yisman]

Love Artest...but this makes me hate the Lake show even more.

If SA gets sheed, it's still SPURS IN 09/10

No it isn't.

[BrandonLaz]

There are some VERY good teams next year if the Lakers sign Odom and Artest then they should be the favorites to win it all. SA is right there in the West as well as the Magic, Cavs, and Boston in the East. The Magic getting VC could hurt them more then help them. SA still has to worry about how productive Duncan can be in the paint late in the playoffs. The Cavs still need a scoring threat outside of Lebron getting Ariza there would be HUGE. Boston still has the Big Three and could end up getting two solid players for Rondo.

[j0hnnyv]

this move is so sick. artest is so smart for going there. they gonna be unreal.

[sweetjones55]

This is going to be a great NBA season.

[lakerboy]

There are some VERY good teams next year if the Lakers sign Odom and Artest then they should be the favorites to win it all. SA is right there in the West as well as the Magic, Cavs, and Boston in the East. The Magic getting VC could hurt them more then help them. SA still has to worry about how productive Duncan can be in the paint late in the playoffs. The Cavs still need a scoring threat outside of Lebron getting Ariza there would be HUGE. Boston still has the Big Three and could end up getting two solid players for Rondo.

laz i love when you chime in one of the voices of reason on nba topics around here.

[InTheHole]

wow!

[DeeWizzle]

Espn also reported that Ariza agreed to terms with the Rockets. Cleveland couldnt afford to pay him anymore than the Lakers were willing to, and since he has a ring now, he's all about the doe.