If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's the mindset that Ron Artest has apparently taken following today's news that he's agreed to join Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles. Artest was instrumental in helping the Rockets take the eventual champion Lakers to seven games during the Western Conference semifinals. Instead of serving as Kobe's antagonist, he'll become Kobe's sidekick. According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, Artest met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss and spoke with Phil Jackson on Thursday before instructing his agent to get a deal done. Details of the agreement -- both the length and the amount -- are still unknown, but from the sounds of it, Artest isn't about to quibble over the details.
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The agreement was confirmed via Twitter by both the Los Angeles Daily News and Sacramento's 1140 AM (KHTK). Stay tuned as more details emerge.
Update: Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times confirms a deal is close.
Update: ESPN's Chris Broussard reports Artest will sign a three-year, $18 million deal. Three years is something of a magic number, as that's the minimum amount of time until the Lakers attain Bird Rights on Artest, which would allow them to go over the salary cap to re-sign him.
Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kupchak is amazing. He bagged the only guy on the planet who can shut LeBron down cold. I love it..
Ariza is a better fit for LA than ronron, I really hope this doesn't mean they lose him. If they keep both (and Odom), this is a wonderful upgrade.
Ariza is going to Houston. He may have played the biggest part in The Championship. Never break up a winning formula! They could have paid him.
I dunno how there money situation really is, but I doubt they can keep both Ariza and Odom, while signing Artest AND extending Kobe's contract. Somebody's got to go. Something tells me it will be Ariza.
Nice move, if you can't beat'em join'em!
god dang i hate artest but he is an upgrade from ariza, who i really like. he plays better D and will give the lakers more toughness. DAMN I HATE ARTEST but he is a good player. how is KG gonna go crazy on the lakers when they'll have a bigger lunatic on L.A.'s team? I don't know how to feel...........
wow great move by the lakers hopefully ariza comes to his senses and takes the 5.6 million lakers are offering him ring over $!!!odom brown artest and ariza "A" grade!HOPEFULLY cAP ROOM
You don't honestly think that you can have Odom, Ariza, Artest, and Kobe not taking a paycut, do you? As it is, Ariza would see very little playing time anyway. He wouldn't be able to do much with so little time. Be happy with a starting lineup of Fisher, Kobe, Artest, Odom, and Gasol. That's one of the best starting five's every assembled on paper at least. It'll be interesting to see if it can match up against KG, Rasheed, Allen, Peirce, and Rondo. Or Mo, Lebron, Ariza, Varjao (assuming they resign him) and Shaq. Or Parker, Manu, Jefferson, Oberto (assuming he resigns), and Duncan.
All I gotta say is... the Conference Finals next year should be the greatest conference finals of all time if it's Boston vs. Cleveland and Lakers vs. Spurs.
If Phil can handle Dennis Rodman, Artest will be a walk in the park. If the Lakers lose Odom or Ariza, they're still a championship team. If the keep both plus Artest, King James may just have to wait for his ring. Mitch is the MAN!!!!!
THIS IS A BIG MISTAKE that Jerry Buss is making. These two BIG EGOES will never mesh. You think Kobe and Shak had problems , that was childs play compared to what is going to happen now. Im a very upset Lakers fan. This will disrupt the flow that the Lakers have worked so hard to attain. Wheres Jerry West when you need him
I agree with you & I am a Rockets fan, Laker Hater! I was gonna post the same thing I wonder if RonRon can step back, cuz Kobe IS King Bee in L.A. I just don't see that happening! Ariza has agreed to a 5 yr/ $5.8 million contract with the Rockets! As a Laker Hater, Ariza was the One player I loved! I will miss RonRon, but happy to see Ariza!
I feel sorry for my Rockets. First Yao and now Artest. Everyone has written off T-Mac. We'll be lucky to win 30. First round draft choices for Artest and we can't keep him.
So if he'll play for free why is he being paid $18 million dollars?
the Lakers win again!!!..get rid of Luke Walton, Sasha B..who cant shoot anymore..or play D, and Benga....keep Odom, and Ariza...World Champions again...easliy!
ariza won't return to the lakers because he wants way more than the MLE. so right now it looks like a great kobe, odom, artest, pau gasol, fisher, front court..WOW
you left somebody out...andrew bynum. odom is at best a reserve.
Ill take Ariza over Artest, Ariza young he got da championship experience. Hes mad athletic he can score and play D
Artest just wana go to LA and ride da wagon..retire and come out wit anotherRap album ...he corny
The Lakers would be making a bigggggggg mistake letting Ariza or Odom go Artest is good but chemistry is of concern every big name does not make a good fit.
KOBE AND RON = THE TWO BEST LOCKDOWN DEFENDERS IN THE LEAGUE....IF KOBE SLIPS ON A BANANA PEEL...ODOM ,BYNUM AND GASOL LOOM.. WHAT A TEAM. CAN YOU SAY REPEAT?
I SURE HATE TO SEE THE QUICKNESS, DEFENSE, LONGBALL AND YOUTH OF ARIZA LEAVE. I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE CHEMISTRY OF THE TEAM!