Lakers contact the Kings regarding Artest <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The last potential order of business is the future of Ron Artest, the small forward who certainly could be traded before training camp. According to a league source, the Lakers already have contacted the Kings regarding Artest and are believed to be offering forward Lamar Odom. As of Tuesday evening, the Kings had not returned the call. They are expected to insist on forward Kenny Thomas and his $18 million of remaining salary (over two seasons) being included in that potential trade. Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie declined comment on whether the Lakers had called.</div> That would be a damn good trade for the Lakers. Might have to bring in Kenny Thomas, but he ain't bad coming from the bench and is much better than Sasha, Walton and those guys that didn't have any heart in the finals. At least he would have fought till the end. I think there's a good chance the trade happens.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 10 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You guys feel bad about losing Odom?</div> I do, maybe i am teh only 1, tho.
Wow, pull the trigger. I don't care about having to take on Kenny Thomas - hell, he'd give us some needed big man depth anyways. But I'd love to be able to land Artest, even if we have to take on a bad contract to do so.
The only "bad" contract we really have is Luke Walton. He's signed through 2011!!!!! A 2 yr. "bad" contract isn't bad. I, too, feel kinda bad losing Odom. There were times when I thought he was the only one doing the rebounding, and I absolutely LOVE his versatility. But, it's toughness and defense we need, and toughness and defense Artest has to offer, so I'm gonna miss you A LOT LO, but WELCOME ARTEST. Kenny Thomas wouldn't be too detrimental to the team. All we need him for is post defense and minimal offense. W/ James Posey and Brent Barry, our team for next year would be COMPLETE. I imagine having more than 15 going into training camp, though. Kupchak also wants to sign Sun Yue, and I think we would have too many players. Also, the Lakers are looking at Kurt Thomas, but it looks like his career will be finished in San Antonio. Fisher, Kobe, Artest, Pau, Bynum, Ariza, Mihm, Sasha, Luke, Radman, Kenny, Brent, Posey, Farmar, Sun, Crawford That's 16.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lakerman34 @ Jul 10 2008, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The only "bad" contract we really have is Luke Walton. He's signed through 2011!!!!! A 2 yr. "bad" contract isn't bad. I, too, feel kinda bad losing Odom. There were times when I thought he was the only one doing the rebounding, and I absolutely LOVE his versatility. But, it's toughness and defense we need, and toughness and defense Artest has to offer, so I'm gonna miss you A LOT LO, but WELCOME ARTEST. Kenny Thomas wouldn't be too detrimental to the team. All we need him for is post defense and minimal offense. W/ James Posey and Brent Barry, our team for next year would be COMPLETE. I imagine having more than 15 going into training camp, though. Kupchak also wants to sign Sun Yue, and I think we would have too many players. Also, the Lakers are looking at Kurt Thomas, but it looks like his career will be finished in San Antonio. Fisher, Kobe, Artest, Pau, Bynum, Ariza, Mihm, Sasha, Luke, Radman, Kenny, Brent, Posey, Farmar, Sun, Crawford That's 16.</div> crawford has no options the battle for the final spot is between karl and yue
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 10 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You guys feel bad about losing Odom?</div> Theres no room to feel bad... Its all about winning that ever elusive championship. Kobe/Bynum/Gasol/Artest Get it done MITCH!!! The queens need to budge!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lakerman34 @ Jul 10 2008, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The only "bad" contract we really have is Luke Walton. He's signed through 2011!!!!! A 2 yr. "bad" contract isn't bad. I, too, feel kinda bad losing Odom. There were times when I thought he was the only one doing the rebounding, and I absolutely LOVE his versatility. But, it's toughness and defense we need, and toughness and defense Artest has to offer, so I'm gonna miss you A LOT LO, but WELCOME ARTEST. Kenny Thomas wouldn't be too detrimental to the team. All we need him for is post defense and minimal offense. W/ James Posey and Brent Barry, our team for next year would be COMPLETE. I imagine having more than 15 going into training camp, though. Kupchak also wants to sign Sun Yue, and I think we would have too many players. Also, the Lakers are looking at Kurt Thomas, but it looks like his career will be finished in San Antonio. Fisher, Kobe, Artest, Pau, Bynum, Ariza, Mihm, Sasha, Luke, Radman, Kenny, Brent, Posey, Farmar, Sun, Crawford That's 16.</div> If I read that post and that post only, I would think the trade had been consummated and Artest was a Laker. Thank God I don't get my news from you.
Come on Mitch do it !!!! Please try and bring posey along to, if he makes those two moves, he will win executive of the year for surrre, and kenny thomas aint that bad, i mean hes only about 6 9' but he plays solid defense and he hustles and hes another big man that me can use off the bench that will play 10 times better than chris mihm, so mitch do it please!!!!
Like some of you have mentioned Posey, imagine that, Kobe, Artest and Posey at the same time on the floor, that would be the best defense in the league. (if you went 3 on 3 lol)
As much a feel good story Coby Karl is, he doesn't belong on an NBA team. Shit, if a deal goes down, I gotta return my Kobe AND Lamar AND Andrew AND Pau T-shirt
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jul 10 2008, 08:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We've heard this rumor the last 3 years, I'm not going to get my hopes up.</div> Yeah true, I guess getting Gasol has made people more optimistic though. Odom wants way too much money (reportedly at least) for me to support him.
I have a feeling this deal will get done. There was a rumor one of the Bush family member told Mitch to get it done. You can listen to radio on that piece rumor.. http://www.sports1140.com/pages/1932257.php Ron Artest will solve many issues the Lakers had have, especially on the defensive end and toughness.
The Lakers continue to be regarded as the favorites for Ron Artest as they offer Lamar Odom. Their willingness to swallow the remaining two years and $16.5 million of Kenny Thomas' contract is considered the only holdup. source: realgm.com
don't sleep on Kenny Thomas.......he's getting up there now, but he can definitely help you guys out. I hated seeing Kenny go when he was on the rockets. I remember him absolutely shutting down KG one night in Minny. Garnett was frustrated as hell, lol...........