http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...kn/5914062.html In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise. In a stunning move designed to push the Rockets from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contenders, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with the Sacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal. The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not be immediately reached for comment. Because of contract considerations, the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14, though that would indicate the deal could include Rockets’ first round draft pick Donte’ Green. Green is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with the Rockets. There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million. Artest, 28, is considered one of the NBA’s most unpredictable characters and was the central figure in a 2004-05 brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich. He is also considered among the league’s toughest lock-down defenders and sometimes, an unstoppable offensive force. The 39 points he scored against the Rockets in 2006-07 season are his career high. A 6-7, 248 pound forward, he had publicly lamented his decision last month not to opt out of the last season of his contract to become a free agent, renewing the Kings’ efforts to move him. Artest played 40 games for Rockets coach Rick Adelman after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Kings in the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also a first-team NBA All-Defensive team selection. He offered to donate his salary if the Kings were willing to retain Adelman after that season. In nine NBA seasons out of St. John’s, where he was a third-team All-American, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was the 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season. Artest, however, has been unable to stay clear from trouble. He was arrested in March 2007 and charged with domestic abuse and eventually sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. That sentence was reduced to 10 days in a work release program. He had also been charged with animal neglect, though charges were not filed and Artest has since worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on several campaigns. In addition to his 73-game suspension after going into the stands in the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl (the longest suspension in NBA history other than for drug policy violations or gambling), he has been suspended for destroying a television camera in New York, for an altercation with then Heat coach Pat Riley in Miami and for numerous flagrant fouls. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he was traded in 2002 to the Pacers, having some of his best seasons, including his one All Star season in 2003-04. Prior to the fight in 2004, he was suspended for two games for asking for a month off to promote an R&B album by a group on his production label. After his return to the Pacers the season after the fight, he asked for a trade and was placed on the inactive roster. Though Artest has been best used as a small forward, Rockets forward Shane Battier is also considered among the league’s best players at defending small forwards and shooting guards. But because Artest can defend players from small guards to power forwards, the Rockets could finish games with Artest and Battier on the court together, either with Tracy McGrady sliding over to point guard or with Artest matching up with power forwards.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Jul 29 2008, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...kn/5914062.html your link is messed.</div> Yeah I know I'm just posting this same thread everywhere that's why..................but WE GOT RON
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Jul 29 2008, 08:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...kn/5914062.html your link is messed.</div> It's working for me. Great trade though, Tmac, Artest, and Yao? WOW
This is a nice trade that also give the Rockets a lot of depth. Battier now can go to the bench to backup Artest and Scola.
Interesting trade. I've heard is Jackson, Scola, 1st rnd pick for Ron Ron. Could just be speculation though. Wonder if Donte Greene is in the deal or not because they could make it a steal for either team IMO. Rockets now loaded with SFs now with T-Mac, Battier, Ron Ron, Donte Greene if he didn't get traded. Is one of Ron/Battier going to come off the bench? Will one start at PF? Probably depends on how the Landry situation turns out and if Scola was in the trade or not.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jul 29 2008, 08:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wow, that's a surprise. Where does this leave Battier?</div> Should trade him to Pistons for Billups or Hamilton.
I doubt Scola was apart of it. I hate to see D. Greene go for a one year rental. but it is a great trade for next year. I can see Shane coming off the bench at 2 or 3, with Artest the starting 3 and even sliding to the 4 when Shane comes in.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (moeinhouston @ Jul 29 2008, 07:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I doubt Scola was apart of it. I hate to see D. Greene go for a one year rental. but it is a great trade for next year. I can see Shane coming off the bench at 2 or 3, with Artest the starting 3 and even sliding to the 4 when Shane comes in.</div> Yeah I guess its Jackson, an 09 first round pick and Donte Greene but because Donte Greene can't be traded until August it will delay the deal from becoming official. Thats a lot to give for Ron IMO.
I doubt this move makes Houston a contender. I'd still like to see Yao stay healthy for a full season. I think this deal would put you guys outside of the Lakers, New Orleans, and San Antonio. You'd be right there with Utah, IMO.
Ron Ron on my team would scare the hell out of me. I'd rather have Battier. But Battier can now get them a nice point guard and make their team pretty damn scary.
Chalk me up as another one that would prefer Battier over Artest. I just would have no confidence in Artest's ability to stay sane over the course of a season. And really what is Houston's major weakness, other than Yao/McGrady's health?
I can't say if I would choose Artest or Battier, because while Artest is a total nutcase this decision is being made solely to catapult Yao and Tmac into...the second round (giggles). What I can say is that I'd rather have both Artest and Battier. Good trade for the Rockets.
For anyone who can't open the link on Chron.com: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise. In a stunning move designed to push the Rockets from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contenders, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with the Sacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal. The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey could not be immediately reached for comment. Because of contract considerations, the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14, though that would indicate the deal could include Rockets’ first round draft pick Donte’ Greene. Greene is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with the Rockets. There could also be other players involved to make the money match but none that the Rockets would plan to keep. The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million. Artest, 28, is considered one of the NBA’s most unpredictable characters and was the central figure in a 2004-05 brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich. He is also considered among the league’s toughest lock-down defenders and sometimes, an unstoppable offensive force. The 39 points he scored against the Rockets in 2006-07 season are his career high. A 6-7, 248 pound forward, he had publicly lamented his decision last month not to opt out of the last season of his contract to become a free agent, renewing the Kings’ efforts to move him. Artest played 40 games for Rockets coach Rick Adelman after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Kings in the 2005-06 season, averaging 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also a first-team NBA All-Defensive team selection. He offered to donate his salary if the Kings were willing to retain Adelman after that season. In nine NBA seasons out of St. John’s, where he was a third-team All-American, Artest has averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds. He was the 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 20.5 points per game last season. Artest, however, has been unable to stay clear from trouble. He was arrested in March 2007 and charged with domestic abuse and eventually sentenced to 20 days in jail and community service. That sentence was reduced to 10 days in a work release program. He had also been charged with animal neglect, though charges were not filed and Artest has since worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on several campaigns. In addition to his 73-game suspension after going into the stands in the Nov. 19, 2004 brawl (the longest suspension in NBA history other than for drug policy violations or gambling), he has been suspended for destroying a television camera in New York, for an altercation with then Heat coach Pat Riley in Miami and for numerous flagrant fouls. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999, he was traded in 2002 to the Pacers, having some of his best seasons, including his one All Star season in 2003-04. Prior to the fight in 2004, he was suspended for two games for asking for a month off to promote an R&B album by a group on his production label. After his return to the Pacers the season after the fight, he asked for a trade and was placed on the inactive roster. Though Artest has been best used as a small forward, Rockets forward Shane Battier is also considered among the league’s best players at defending small forwards and shooting guards. But because Artest can defend players from small guards to power forwards, the Rockets could finish games with Artest and Battier on the court together, either with Tracy McGrady sliding over to point guard or with Artest matching up with power forwards.</div> Nice deal, Morey.
