Oh, what a day it has been. The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a deal is in place for the Sacramento Kings to send volatile guard forward Ron Artest to the Houston Rockets, in exchange for Bobby Jackson, a first round pick, and an additional player not yet named. Sources suggest it is most likely rookie forward Donte Greene.
When I talked to Daryl Morey at Summer League, I asked him if 90% of the trade rumors were false. He replied "Oh, 100%." I also asked if he felt like the Rockets roster was finished. He replied "We'll see." I guess we have.
The addition is both exciting and puzzling. On the exciting side, this is Morey's first major deal, and possibly the one acquisition to get this team into the championship contention that has so long escaped it. It's puzzling because the Rockets already have a defensive guard forward, and an excellent one in Shane Battier. This now brings the possibility of a Tracy McGrady, Artest, Battier, Luis Scola, Yao Ming lineup. And that just makes my brain hurt.
For the Kings, if the Lakers weren't going to take Kenny Thomas (woof), they weren't going to take Kenny Thomas (woof). The Kings wanted a shooter guard, a slasher wing, and a draft pick. They got it. They could have gone for the homerun big star, but they're looking at their long-term cap flexibility. The Kings are going to be considered the "losers" in this trade, but if you analyze the different goals of both teams, it's a win-win.
The Tru Warier and the Dynasty. Get your tickets.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-30-2008 @ 12:45AM
Joel said...
If you're a Houston Rockets fan, you gotta love this deal. Houston was already good defensively and now I'd have to consider them the best in the Western Conference in that category with Artest in the fold. Say what you want about his personality because the guy can be flaky from time to time, but there's no doubt Houston acquired a guy that brings it on both ends of the floor everytime.
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7-30-2008 @ 3:19AM
henryclemente said...
As a Kings fan, I love this deal too! Made no sense for us to hang on to Ron. Now we get a prospect, a pick, the return of fan-fave BJax, cap-space in 2009, and haha cash!
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7-30-2008 @ 12:15PM
jarrett said...
Houston now has one of the best and versatile frontcourts in the game.nearly unstoppable post presence,almost unguardable swingman,and now a defensive stopper who can score,with a defensive stalwart coming off the bench.I don't know what the backcourt is gonna look like,but man!!!
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7-30-2008 @ 3:39PM
lunatic_fo_ever said...
wow... now the houston rockets have 2 of the best swingman defenders in the whole league... aint that sumthin? lol kobe's worst nightmare would be to see ron artest and shane battier double teaming him... scary
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7-30-2008 @ 5:04PM
David Williams said...
Has the Houston SPCA been alerted that Artest is coming? This guy is a criminal (my opinion). He verbally and physically abuses fans and his abuse and neglect of his dogs rivals Michael Vick`s.
There are some who believe the acquisition of Artest by the Maloofs in Sacramento was only meant to hasten the team`s departure to Henderson, Nevada.
What may be the true reason for the trade to Houston? I don`t think the Rockets will be better off. But they will get plenty of additional publicity. Even if it is all bad.
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7-30-2008 @ 5:09PM
D. L. Williams said...
Has the Houston SPCA been alerted that Artest is coming? This guy is a criminal (my opinion). He verbally and physically abuses fans and his abuse and neglect of his dogs rivals Michael Vick`s.
There are some who believe the acquisition of Artest by the Maloofs
in Sacramento was only meant to hasten the team`s departure to
Henderson, Nevada.
What may be the true reason for the trade to Houston? I don`t think
the Rockets will be better off. But they will get plenty of
additional publicity. Even if it is all bad.
Reply
7-31-2008 @ 3:30PM
Alper said...
If things go as planned and this trade happens, Rockets would definitly get out of 1st round, if they don't I would consider them the worst team in NBA. With this trade Rockets will have a big 3,become better at defence, and add more bench depth by putting Shane Battier on bench. The trade sucks for Kings but Kings don't have chance of winning. Also Artest and Kings community do not seem to get a long very well so it could be a good trade for Kings too.
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