The Nets have made some cursory inquiries with Phoenix (about Boris Diaw and Leandro Barboso), more substantive discussions with Toronto (about Andrea Bargnani), and there has been some dialogue with Denver about Carmelo Anthony. Though one Nets official claims that "other conversations have a much better chance of fruition," the Anthony scenario is the most interesting -- and hazardous. The 6-8 forward is one of the league's elite scorers, on the threshold of his prime, and no one knows him better than the guy who drafted him, Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe. Newark Star-Ledger
But the downside to any deal for Anthony -- which would have to include Richard Jefferson and the Nets' pick, if it falls in the top 3 -- is considerable. Character tops the list: Anthony's five-year career has been marked by incidents that make him a risk, including -- but not limited to -- his June 5 court date on a DUI charge. Newark Star-Ledger
If Marcus Camby is part of the deal, more questions arise. Most GMs believe he has joined the litany of 30-somethings who seem incapable of logging long postseason minutes. Moreover, the venerable big man has $21 million coming to him in the next few years -- though his salary comes off the cap in time to play the potentially historic 2010 free-agent market. Newark Star-Ledger
Rod Thorn said he expects the NBA to give the Nets permission to start camp earlier this year because of the scheduled exhibition games in Paris and London. Newark Star-Ledger
The Nets, who will have minority owner Jay-Z representing them, hope to move up to improve their chances of acquiring Carmelo Anthony from Denver. The two sides have discussed a trade that would include the Nets' lottery pick. If neither team wins tonight - and the Nets keep their pick - they could miss out on franchise-changing players such as Rose or Kansas State forward Michael Beasley. By dropping or staying where they were in previous lotteries, the Nets and Knicks have seen that kind of player go elsewhere many times. That doesn't include the mistakes that have littered each of their lottery histories. Bergen Record
The Nets, who will have investor/minority owner Jay-Z in Secaucus, are slotted to pick 10th - they have an 87 percent probability of staying there - but if they move up to any of the top three spots their chances of dealing the pick greatly increase. They have been talking around the league and one of the teams they will revisit is Denver, where Carmelo Anthony is available. League sources insist the Nuggets are making Anthony available for the right price. The Nets have spoken to Denver - Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe drafted Anthony and reshaped the Nuggets roster when he was there. NY Post
The Nets and Nuggets discussed various parameters of a deal, which would not occur until after June 30 when the full $14.4 million on Anthony's 2008-09 contract kicks in. He is a base year compensation type, which makes trades difficult. NY Post
One proposal contained "a lot of pieces" including the Nets' pick, Richard Jefferson and Marcus Williams for Anthony and Marcus Camby. One source stressed nothing is imminent and talks are still in the infancy stage. NY Post
One report yesterday said the Nets have had discussions with the Denver Nuggets about a blockbuster deal that would bring Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby to New Jersey for a package that would include Richard Jefferson, Marcus Williams, Keith Van Horn's contract (which the Nets acquired in the Jason Kidd trade) and possibly one of the top picks, if the Nets have one, as well as other unnamed considerations. NY Daily News
Jefferson's agent, Todd Eley, said he hadn't heard anything from the Nets about such a deal, and thinks "everything is still probably in the exploratory stage," while acknowledging that the teams will "wait to see how the lottery shapes up. And then from there anything is possible." The Nets have won the lottery twice - in 1990, when they picked Derrick Coleman, and in 2000, when they selected Kenyon Martin. NY Daily News
Here's what Anthony's agent, Calvin Andrews said to Fox 31 sports Monday night. When asked if there is anything to the Anthony trade rumors as described above Andrews replied, "Yes I have been reading about it…and I would say it's BS right now." Several NBA insiders told Fox 31 sports the genesis of this report is linked to current Nets general manager and former Nuggets general manager, Kiki Vandeweghe and wishful thinking. MY Fox Colorado
Recently though discussions concerning this deal have picked up a little more steam. "It's out there heavy. There [isn't] any question," said Andrews. But when it comes to any serious talk of an Anthony trade crossing Andrews's ears, the Nuggets have yet to contact him; and right now he's not expecting it. "They [the Nuggets] didn't tell me they were trying to trade Melo; and I think they would have that conversation with us." MY Fox Colorado
Artest rumor again.....
Kobe Bryant has admitted that he wouldn't mind playing alongside Artest, and there is a growing belief that the strong personalities of Bryant and Coach Phil Jackson could help keep Artest in line.
As a restricted free agent, Ron would have to take a pay cut to the projected midlevel exception of approximately $5.6 million.
A sign-and-trade doesn't seem to make sense as the Lakers will likely be looking to unload a bad contract like Vladimir Radmanovic.
[h1]Analysis: Artest options remain varied[/h1] [h2]His potential free agency continues to muddle the picture.[/h2] [h3]By Scott Howard-Cooper -
[email protected][/h3]
Last Updated 5:33 am PDT Monday, May 19, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
Is there interest around the NBA in Ron Artest? It could depend on whether he opts out of his contract this offseason. Randall Benton / Sacramento Bee file, February 2008
Click on photo to enlarge
There are the lottery implications beginning Tuesday. And the wedding memories. And the former backup plan in Los Angeles that could become a priority. And the specter of the big move as more like a commute.
But mostly, there is the uncertainty and the never-ending question: What will the Kings do with Ron Artest? Captivated by his moments of stardom, frustrated by his bouts of undependability, the Kings' latest decision time arrives with the usual ambivalence and the new circumstance: that Artest can declare himself a free agent by June 30. For the first time, he has a loud vote in how this turns out.
Artest being Artest, he spent the season's second half offering mixed messages about whether he would exercise the contract option and, if so, whether it would be with the intent of getting a new long-term deal with the Kings or leaving. There's $7.4 million on the table for 2008-09 and about 74 million contradictory signals.
The possibilities of what happens next are just as diverse. Artest cannot be dealt until he either turns down the option - which might not happen in time to include him in any June 26 draft-day maneuvering - or he becomes an unrestricted free agent and a candidate for a sign-and-trade. He also could leave for nothing at that point if the Kings don't work a swap with his preferred new team, an outcome that would cost Artest millions.
The benefit for the Kings then would be clearing his contract from the books, not to mention the incalculable return of ending the emotional yoga of life with Artest. The internal considerations are the same reason many teams won't trade for him now and certainly wouldn't commit to him with a long-term deal as a free agent.
But some parties will be interested if he does not opt out, probably even more now than at the February trade deadline as the Kings listened hard to offers. In that scenario, in which Artest keeps the $7.4 million for 2008-09 and becomes a free agent next summer, he would have the added attraction/reduced risk of an expiring contract. The new team would inherit cap flexibility and the comfort of knowing they're stuck with each for just one season if the relationship doesn't work.
In a league finally acknowledging that speedball is fun but defense wins - Steve Kerr taking the Phoenix Suns in a new direction, the Denver Nuggets flaming out again, the Warriors missing the playoffs - Artest's obvious talents will draw interest. How much exactly depends partly on what happens Tuesday in the lottery and what moves might follow as a result, but there are reasonable landing spots either way if the Kings try to deal, with some more realistic than others.
A look at other NBA teams that would be interested in Artest's services:
[h3]
Lakers[/h3]
They already had Artest listed as a trade possibility. He was part of Plan B with Ben Wallace and a few unknown others if the Pau Gasol trade had fallen through in February, so it's a straight line back to Artest in the offseason.
Plus - a critical, meaningful plus - Kobe Bryant loves the thought of playing alongside Artest, understandably imagining the pair suffocating opposing wings nightly after Bryant was named first-team All-Defense at guard in a poll of coaches and Artest got the sixth-most votes at forward. And with Bryant and coach Phil Jackson, the Lakers already have two strong personalities, with Bryant in particular feeling he has the presence and relationship to keep Artest mostly in line.
Artest as a free agent would have to take a pay cut to the projected midlevel exception of approximately $5.6 million. The forfeited money, and a lot more, would come back to him with the long-term security of a deal of up to five seasons, but it's still much less than he would get in a sign-and-trade or likely, in another option, keeping the current pact at $7.4 million and hitting the open market in summer '09.
No sign-and-trade seems to make sense for both teams, though. The Lakers will want to dump a bad contract (Vladimir Radmanovic, with slight tweaking needed from there to make the deal work under the cap) while the Kings will see very few available Lakers as potential difference makers in the Sacramento future, with young point guard Jordan Farmar the most intriguing consideration. L.A. can't even offer a first-round pick until 2012.
[h3]
Warriors[/h3]
There's no natural fit for Artest on a roster that already has Stephen Jackson at small forward and a renewed commitment to develop 2007 lottery pick Brandan Wright at power forward, and Artest's penchant for holding the ball definitely would not fit in the Golden State approach of offense-in-a-blur. That bad habit would have to be broken. But it's still a natural.
Chris Mullin, the executive vice president of basketball operations, likes Artest, and not just because of their shared background as New Yorkers and St. John's products. The Warriors need to get a lot better on defense. The Warriors need a post presence on offense. And the Warriors - drum roll - can do the deal without giving up a player.
They have a $9.9 million trade exception acquired from Charlotte as a technicality in the Wright-Jason Richardson deal on draft night last year. The Warriors have to use it or lose it by June 30 - the same date as Artest's deadline to declare himself a free agent or remain under contract. So timing is everything.
Golden State could package the trade exception and a future first-round selection for Artest, with the added incentive of getting an expiring contract in the same offseason it will have to pay big to re-sign restricted free agent Andris Biedrins and potentially very big to re-sign restricted free agent Monta Ellis. The Warriors would get an impact player, the chance to load up for what could be the final push with Don Nelson as coach and Baron Davis as point guard, and cap flexibility for the summer of 2009, when Davis could also be a free agent - all without touching the roster.
The Kings would get a No. 1 pick, a valuable chip for a team rebuilding, and potentially a lottery pick given the Warriors' uncertain playoff chances. The Kings also would get the trade exception, which then would be worth $7.4 million and good for one year from the date of the deal. That provides them the unique chance to acquire a player without exchanging a similar salary. Even if the exception goes unused, the savings come in getting away from the $7.4 million. Among other things.
[h3]
Mavericks[/h3]
New coach Rick Carlisle brought this one on himself when he mentioned in a Dallas radio interview that he is open to the idea of being reunited with Artest with the Mavericks after previously coaching him in Indiana.
There's every chance Carlisle was just saying all the right things; it's not as if he was going to bury Artest when someone specifically asked if he'd like to coach Artest again. But there's also substance there, considering how Dallas has pancaked the past two seasons, apparently needs to make a substantive change and probably won't do anything with Dirk Nowitzki or Jason Kidd.
That leaves Josh Howard as the greatest lure. That would get the Kings' attention.
Howard is a small forward who scores and rebounds, a 2007 All-Star who has shown he also can be a complementary player. He is getting pilloried for a bad showing against New Orleans in the Mavericks' latest first-round elimination, but was terrific in last spring's loss
[h3]
Heat[/h3]
Why what happens to Miami in the lottery Tuesday matters to Sacramento: If the night goes according to odds and the Heat lands No. 1 or 2 for the June 26 draft, it will get power forward Michael Beasley or point guard Derrick Rose. If it's Beasley, as the first pick or a great consolation prize as the second, Udonis Haslem will be expendable.
Haslem is decent on the boards - 9.0, 8.3, 7.8 and 9.1 rebounds per game the past four seasons - and the Kings need a major improvement there. Not only that, his $6.575 million salary is close enough to Artest's that it would take only minor additions from Miami to make the trade fit under the cap. Haslem's contract also goes just one season longer than Artest's deal, saving the Kings from being too locked in long term if Haslem isn't part of the solution.
[h3]
Knicks[/h3]
As in the Lakers scenario, Artest would have to sacrifice millions to join New York as a free agent, but he has a history of not always taking the practical path. The big difference from the Lakers scenario is that New York is home.
Not only that, but Artest has very positive feelings for new team president Donnie Walsh, a former top executive during parts of five seasons together with the Indiana Pacers. The two were close enough that Walsh attended Artest's 2003 wedding. They remain friends.
But the Knicks have few trade chips. Very few.
