Former Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, hired by the Mavs, has expressed interested in Artest, who he coached in Indiana, saying, "Of course. He's had one all-star year...when he played for me. I've...reconnect(ed) with Ronnie a couple times...I love him and I love his family, so yeah." He's also made it clear that he wants to get better defensively, and not only that, he said that he'll make changes to the roster during the off-season. After Josh Howard's problems surfaced in Dallas, he's most likely to go. Trade talk started early this season.
No, this can't go. I don't want Howard on my team, would you? I know Artest is a troublemaker, but after Howard confessed to smoking marijuana shamelessly, a horrible post-season and being booed at home after his confession, I'll take my chances with Artest, because he's better. Basically, if the trade does happen, they're basically trading off-court problems. Oh, and Kings fans already don't like Howard because of this clip of Howard slamming Brad Miller.
Mavs Side
Potential Line-Up
PG- Jason Kidd, SG- Jason Terry, SF- Ron Artest, PF- Dirk Nowitzki, C- Erick Dampier
That might get them into the second round of the playoffs if Artest doesn't get in trouble. Otherwise, it'd be a Dallas Disaster. But if Carlisle and Artest respect each other, the Mavs could compete in the West. Dallas could use some extra defense and getting a premier defender will help them out a lot. They have the offense right now, but defense is what Carlisle wants to stress next year.
Kidd's play will probaly worsen, despite averaging 3 rebounds shy of a triple double in the regular season, but Carlisle said he plans to make Kidd more efficient next season, which means the Mavs are planning to keep him for one more year. The Mavs will have a busy off-season. They only have 7 players signed for 08-09, and J.J. Barea is probably re-signing with the team. They'll be shopping for big men and a back-up small forward and . If free agency is a success, the Mavs might make it to the playoffs again with Artest. Hopefully, it doesn't happen. I can see it now, Artest giving a high five to Mark Cuban coming in for a time out, yelling and everything.
Kings Side
Potential Line-Up
PG- Beno Udrih (if re-signed), SG-Kevin Martin, SF-Josh Howard, PF- Mikki Moore, C-Brad Miller
If this goes through, the Kings will look for more value in return, something they're not known to get in the past. They'll probably look for a 2009 pick. In the recent Mike Bibby to Atlanta trade, they recieved 3 expiring contracts and 2005 fifth overall pick and undersized PF Shelden Williams and an 2008 2nd round pick as part of rebuilding the team.
Not only that, the Kings are supposedly working to buy out the contract of the overpriced Kenny Thomas. Either that or he opts out, either one works. Shareef Abdur-Rahim could also be out if it's determined that his knee surgery is career-ending, and the Kings have insurance on him so it doesn't effect their salary cap in the future, like when Portland waived Darius Miles about a month ago.
Despite finishing 38-43 through an injury-plagued year from start to finish, rebuilding is going smoothly for them right now, and there's talk of them clearing cap space for some big free agents in 2010, most likely a big man since Miller will probably leave the team. They're going to try to re-sign emerging PG Beno Udrih this summer after a breakout season starting for the Kings. He's expressed interest to return.
It's not like the Kings will get any younger though. Even though Howard was traded to the Kings and he's been a pro or 5 years, he's only 5 months younger than Artest. Despite his off-court problems, Artest has more upside than Howard.
Trading both players won't go through because of their salaries, so another player on the team, undersized SG Quincy Douby most likely, would go with Artest to the Mavs. Douby could learn from Jason Terry on how to be an undersized SG and succeed in the NBA. He did score a career high 32 points in his last game of the year against the Lakers. Artest would have a talk with Cuban about his attitude once he gets there. The same with Howard the Maloofs would have a few words with Howard about his drug use. Like I said before, hopefully, it doesn't happen.
Original Story
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/
Additional links on website
Original Story:
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/spo....
No, this can't go. I don't want Howard on my team, would you? I know Artest is a troublemaker, but after Howard confessed to smoking marijuana shamelessly, a horrible post-season and being booed at home after his confession, I'll take my chances with Artest, because he's better. Basically, if the trade does happen, they're basically trading off-court problems. Oh, and Kings fans already don't like Howard because of this clip of Howard slamming Brad Miller.
Mavs Side
Potential Line-Up
PG- Jason Kidd, SG- Jason Terry, SF- Ron Artest, PF- Dirk Nowitzki, C- Erick Dampier
That might get them into the second round of the playoffs if Artest doesn't get in trouble. Otherwise, it'd be a Dallas Disaster. But if Carlisle and Artest respect each other, the Mavs could compete in the West. Dallas could use some extra defense and getting a premier defender will help them out a lot. They have the offense right now, but defense is what Carlisle wants to stress next year.
Kidd's play will probaly worsen, despite averaging 3 rebounds shy of a triple double in the regular season, but Carlisle said he plans to make Kidd more efficient next season, which means the Mavs are planning to keep him for one more year. The Mavs will have a busy off-season. They only have 7 players signed for 08-09, and J.J. Barea is probably re-signing with the team. They'll be shopping for big men and a back-up small forward and . If free agency is a success, the Mavs might make it to the playoffs again with Artest. Hopefully, it doesn't happen. I can see it now, Artest giving a high five to Mark Cuban coming in for a time out, yelling and everything.
Kings Side
Potential Line-Up
PG- Beno Udrih (if re-signed), SG-Kevin Martin, SF-Josh Howard, PF- Mikki Moore, C-Brad Miller
If this goes through, the Kings will look for more value in return, something they're not known to get in the past. They'll probably look for a 2009 pick. In the recent Mike Bibby to Atlanta trade, they recieved 3 expiring contracts and 2005 fifth overall pick and undersized PF Shelden Williams and an 2008 2nd round pick as part of rebuilding the team.
Not only that, the Kings are supposedly working to buy out the contract of the overpriced Kenny Thomas. Either that or he opts out, either one works. Shareef Abdur-Rahim could also be out if it's determined that his knee surgery is career-ending, and the Kings have insurance on him so it doesn't effect their salary cap in the future, like when Portland waived Darius Miles about a month ago.
Despite finishing 38-43 through an injury-plagued year from start to finish, rebuilding is going smoothly for them right now, and there's talk of them clearing cap space for some big free agents in 2010, most likely a big man since Miller will probably leave the team. They're going to try to re-sign emerging PG Beno Udrih this summer after a breakout season starting for the Kings. He's expressed interest to return.
It's not like the Kings will get any younger though. Even though Howard was traded to the Kings and he's been a pro or 5 years, he's only 5 months younger than Artest. Despite his off-court problems, Artest has more upside than Howard.
Trading both players won't go through because of their salaries, so another player on the team, undersized SG Quincy Douby most likely, would go with Artest to the Mavs. Douby could learn from Jason Terry on how to be an undersized SG and succeed in the NBA. He did score a career high 32 points in his last game of the year against the Lakers. Artest would have a talk with Cuban about his attitude once he gets there. The same with Howard the Maloofs would have a few words with Howard about his drug use. Like I said before, hopefully, it doesn't happen.
Original Story
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/
Additional links on website
Original Story:
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/spo....
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