Spurs Want Ron Artest?

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/02/ ... on-artest/
Posted Feb 18th 2008 7:00PM by Tom Ziller



For the next four days, you will be assaulted with rumors -- some seemingly ridiculous and some as brilliant as diamonds (or at least cubic zirconium). Consider this ESPN/Chad Ford joint (In$ider, natch) a warning volley:
Believe it or not, Ron Artest's name has come up in San Antonio. Some believe that given the team's system, he can be controlled and would give them more toughness on the wing, where Bruce Bowen is slowing down.
Ford goes on to mention Stephen Jackson was once a starter for a San Antonio title team. (He neglects this was before Jack's major reputation hits with Indiana; he also fails to mention Jackson has been lauded as a teammate in every town, while Ron-Ron... yeah, not so much.)

You'd think Sacramento would jump at an expiring contract (San Antonio always has plenty) and either Ian Mahinmi or the rights to Tiago Splitter; whether the Spurs count the loss of either as worthy risk for a six-month rental of Artest is questionable. Of course, given last year's surprisingly competitive first-round matchup with Denver, and also considered Denver appears to be the leading contender for Artest's services... it might serve as a doubled victory to sew Ron-Ron up before the trade deadline. In a world where the Phoenix Suns trade for Shaquille O'Neal, I suppose you just never know.

Ron Artest has a player option for next year at just under $8.5 million. I sure hope they don't give up Tiago to get him.

If the spurs are going to trade someone or sign it should be Ron becuse that dude is like another Ginobili. He brings D fence and offence when you need it the most. Ron is capable of all those things, and I would not mind haveing someone like him to help us out on the defensive end. If you got to forgive Ron on his past just do it. Pepole make mistakes all the time, and what better team than San Antonio to help him clean up his act? why Not San Antonio? can you imagine what the Pistons fans would do? lol Hey we did give up Beno to th Kings so why not get a return on Ron Artest? Love him or hate him Ron is a true basketball warrior.

Not quiet sure how I feel about this. I do think Artest can help on the court, but I sure don't want to trade for a chemistry killer. If he can keep his mouth shut and nose clean, then OK, but given his personality and track record, I don't see either happening.

Let's imagine somewhere in Bizarro world the Spurs management would ever be inclined to entertain this trade... (OK, everyone there with me?)

OK, now let's get real about what it would take.

Ron Ron gets paid nearly $7.5 mil this year. Who would the Spurs have to give up to send at least $100,000 short of 120% of that $7,400,000 ($6,066,667 in case you were wondering.) Well, Robert Horry is a no-brainer (or am I the only person in the universe that vomits every time an announcer says "he won't get warmed up until April...") But that's a mere $3.6. Brent Barry is making an unbelievable $5.5 which only makes sense to me about once every eight games when he unloads a million threes and I pull the pins out of his voodoo doll (until the next game.) Francisco Elson makes $3 even, and I wouldn't mind sending him packing if it weren't for his FT%. Anyone else is either (1) a base-year comp player, and therefore not worth trading (Bonner, Oberto), (2) a major bargain or unsigned young talent that wouldn't count much toward the trade and would give up way too much upside (Mahinmi, Splitter), or (3) a valuable cog in the current machine (Finley, Bowen.)

The best case for the Spurs would be Horry and Elson straight up with a little cash for Artest. That would be a true rental price and not much more. But I have never seen the Spurs EVER pay cash in a trade, and the Kings would never go for this, despite the two expiring contracts.

Barry plus something small would work, but the Spurs would have to sign and trade someone to fill their last roster spot or throw in a promising project like Udoka, and that is not worth it.

In short, even if the Spurs were at all interested in Artest, they would have to give up one or two nice expiring contracts a year before a free-agent rich summer, and even then only have Artest for the rest of this year. Best case scenario there would be he wins us a couple of playoff games before self-imploding and taking out a major rap label with him.

Not to burst the collective bubble, but this rumor is grade-a pot-smoking crap.

P.S., ryno...

That is easily the most annoying signature in the world. Congrats on that.

Not that I believe the rumor but I think Artest would fit better in the Spurs system than most people think. He hasn't been the nearly head case in Sacramento that he was in Indiana choking coaches and punching fans. I don't see him imploding here. It wouldn't be tolerated. And he would smother Phoenix and LA with his defense.

Barry and Elson should work only if Sacramento is going to pull a Memphis and wholesale the team. I have a feeling Barry's injury is much more serious than the FO is letting on. Elson is a big with an expiring contract. I don't think the Spurs would give up two bigs.

Lastly, if this trade were to happen it would just totally blow away anything Phoenix and LA has done and I like it for that alone. Not that the Spurs have to keep up with them (Gasol is soft and Shaq is a shrivelled up gerryiatric). But it's a nice punch in the stomach to the rest of the west.

bionictrout wrote:P.S., ryno...

That is easily the most annoying signature in the world. Congrats on that.

What the hell is wrong with my sig?

Surely nobody from the front office read my previous post and took me seriously. But just in case...I WAS JUST JOKING! Don't bring Ron Artest in, even if Sac wants just spare parts in return. The risk is not worth it.

i don't want Ron Artest! thats all...

oh and ryno, i have no clue what's wrong with it either. i like your sig

Get Artest.

Remember when the Bulls brought in Rodman, who was the 90's version of Artest? They say the reason Rodman was successful and not a distraction was because Jordan the Bulls were respected and established that none of Rodman's antics would be tolerated, and Rodman knew it. They went on to win with Rodman's defense and hustle. He was a big part of that championship run.

Knowing the Spurs' reputation, Duncan's leadership, and Pop's tutelage, I think Ron-Ron would understand what an amazing opportunity he has to make an impact on a real championship team. He's never really played for a real contender before, and I don't think he would trash the opportunity. When Artest is focused (did you watch him play the last few games, including yesterday's game?) and motivated, he's an unbelievable player.

Basketball wise, he is so strong and gifted, he can post up anyone and everyone that guards him. He can shoot the 3, and of course, his defense is superb. Can you imagine Bowen and Artest hounding oppenents AT THE SAME TIME? As a basketball purist, I think that would be just a great to watch as anything Kidd and Nowitzki could show me.

I think the problem with all these trades in the Western Conference is that everyone is trading for offense. The Suns gave up Marion's transition D (he WAS the Suns' transition D) for Shaq (who isn't the defender of 2000-2002 that he was). The Mavs give up Devin's perimeter quickness for Jason Kidd (who is great, but not really an on-the-ball defender).

If the Spurs get Artest, it would be defensive help, first and foremost. I agree that it is better than any of the other trades because Artest provides much, much more than the offensive spark the Spurs seem to lack in stretches during games this season. He provides tough, tough defense and gives the Spurs the ability to have a defender just as quick and relentless as Bowen but much stronger, without sacrificing on offense (which is pretty much what happens when Bruce is in the game). In fact, it gives them better options now to go small (Parker, Finley, Ginobili, Artest, Duncan) or big (Parker, Ginobili, Artest, Duncan, Oberto).

At 8.5 million, Artest is a steal. Grab him now, give up some expiring contracts. And if, down the road, he becomes a problem, you can trade him and get something back - SOMEONE will take Artest, no matter what he does.

UPDATE: I guess this aint happening now. ARGH.

I know "someone" keeps mentioning about bringing in Nocioni to this team..but I dont know...