Trade Machinations: Artest to the Spurs

With the NBA trade deadline looming, Trade Machinations rounds up real rumors (and creates fake ones) of moves that'd make the NBA a better, brighter place.

A rumor floating like Forrest Gump's feather on Monday, it would appear this whole Ron Artest to San Antonio shindig might actually go down. The Sacramento Bee's Sam Amick blogs from an airport:

The Spurs may be nearing a deal for Artest, although it's also believed Denver may finally be willing to give up Linas Kleiza. Of course, my flight from Portland to Sacramento is at this very moment, so we'll see where things stand when I land.

San Antonio has the requisite expiring contracts and a late first-round pick, which is basically what Denver has offered to date (according to most reports). You'd assume Geoff Petrie's decision to be receptive to the Spurs' advances means they included an extra asset -- maybe another pick, maybe ~~Ziller lust object~~ Ian Mahinmi, maybe the rights to Tiago Splitter. That opens the door to Kleiza, the player Petrie's reportedly held out for. Patience, I suppose, is half the battle.

No matter the bounty, if it were to happen -- San Antonio would steal some Lakers thunder, at the least. Can you imagine that team replacing a flagging Bruce Bowen with a (contract year) Artest? I just got scared, and my team's nowhere near the playoffs.

Will it happen? No flippin' clue, but perhaps the weight of the viewing world can will it so.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-20-2008 @ 4:02PM

frank said...

The Spurs are trading Bruce Bowen( consistency and experience +++) for Artest ? problems,problems,problems NOT good for the Spurs no back to back this year.

2-20-2008 @ 4:16PM

Ryne Nelson said...

Denver would be wrong to trade Klezia, since he opens up the court for them. Sure, Artest is somewhat of an outside threat as well, but he also has a star's ego to take care of.

2-20-2008 @ 7:07PM

jesse said...

Are you kiddin me frank? You sound like the haters that said Randy Moss would cause to much trouble for the Pats to control, and how did that work ( i believe he set the NFL record for TD's for a WR? somethin like that). When u have an organization like the Pats and Spurs ( talking about discipline not the spygate sh*t )they have the ability to rub off on players and IT CAN WORK. If they can get Artest without giving up any of the big three then im sayin right now - guaranteed chamiponship. Defense would be SCARY SCARY.