<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>"I think there's very few teams that'll touch him (Ron Artest)," one opposing executive, who did not want his name used because of the delicate nature of trade possibilities, said of the chances of an equitable deal by Feb. 21. "I don't think there's that great of a market," said another front-office executive who did not want to be identified because of similar reasons. "You've got the combination of the baggage he brings personally and the baggage that will come into your team professionally. And then you've got the baggage with the contract situation." But, the superior defense? The energy? The toughness? "He brings it all," the personnel veteran said. "But is trying to deal with all the other stuff worth it? I don't think so."</div> Sacramento Bee <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mark Stevens said "there wouldn't be rumors of a trade if there was no interest" by Denver in Artest. Speaking generally, Stevens said if Artest were traded, "he believes he can establish a home, why would he opt out?" Stevens believes Artest is worth "$14 million" annually but that the market will play a role in whether he opts out. "It's like selling a house,'' Stevens said. "You might ask $200,000, but what is the buyer willing to pay?" --</div> Rocky Mountain News
There is no doubt the Nuggets want him, but part of the problem is that they want the Kings to take back some salary that doesn't expire and the Nuggets don't want to include LK.
I think it might be really dumb long term for the Nuggets to trade LK, because hes going to continue to get better and may end up being a 15-20 ppg and 5-8 rpg type player. However, Iverson isn't getting any younger, and it might just be what they need to take on the Mavs, Spurs, Suns, and Lakers out west this year.
