CBSsports.com reports Artest will sign w/Lakers

[GroverTheClover]

Well this sucks. Let's pick up Sheed, Hill, and Marion! The Celtics need to roll out the red carpet and really start reaching out to free agents.

[Roy Hobbs]

If the Lakers sign Artest, but lose Ariza and Odom, I think that's a net loss.  Let's hope that's what happens.

[PosImpos]

If the Lakers sign Artest, but lose Ariza and Odom, I think that's a net loss.  Let's hope that's what happens.

It's possible, but I think Odom resigns with the Lakers.

Plus, if Odom doesn't sign with them, where does he sign?

[Who]

If the Lakers sign Artest, but lose Ariza and Odom, I think that's a net loss.  Let's hope that's what happens.

It's possible, but I think Odom resigns with the Lakers.

Plus, if Odom doesn't sign with them, where does he sign?

I think Detroit was his only option outside of LA for a contract above the MLE. I struggle to see those young teams offering him long term money.

I think Lamar is pretty much a lock to stay with LA at this stage.

[houseonfire09]

Looks like Houston gets Ariza...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4303862

[tenn_smoothie]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=artestlakers-090702

does this hurt or help ??

[Celtic Fan Forever]

I really hope this blows up in the Laker's face and Artest and Kobe can't play well together.

[johnnyrondo]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4303977

Was just watching Artest on this ESPN clip. He took only a 3yr MLE deal (making less in 3 yrs than Ray in 1 for reference) because he only wants to win. He said originally he wanted to go back to the Rockets, but when Yao got hurt they only offered him a 1 yr deal. He was asked why the Lakers and he said because they went after him first. This is disappointing. A 29 yr old all-star caliber player. Danny should have been at his door step at midnight 7/1/09. The recruiting stuff might work with Sheed, but the 35 yr old Sheed isn't going to leave much money on the table. It will have to be a 3 or 4 yr deal if we're using MLE money and there's no guarantee he chooses us. Wait until Cuban and Pop/Duncan pitches their offers. Ainge missed a golden opportunity to sign an all star talent in his prime for a very team friendly deal imo. Others might disagree how good Artest is, but he was there for the taking.

[snively]

It's a great move to replace Ariza for the Lakers, but I'm not sure adding a 40% shooting, ball-pounding iso player is even an upgrade from Ariza.  He does give them a better on-ball defender, but he's going to waste a lot more possessions than Ariza did. 

Ariza was such a deadly player for them because he rarely turned the ball over, took a bad shot or made a bad decision on offense, and he frequently created havoc for the opponent on defense. 

Artest will knock down a few more 3s (though their playoff %s would suggest otherwise), rough up the team's wing to spare Kobe for offense and take some big balls shots when no one else will, but he'll also jack up some terrible shots, turn the ball over on foolish drive attempts and generally do fewer of the the little things that Ariza did.

Again, far better than replacing Ariza with Walton, but I don't see how it makes them better, just gives them a different twist.

[Amir]

I just dont think Artest would be satisfied coming off the bench for this team. He can start in L.A., and by the looks of him in his sportcenter interview, likes the hollywood scene. I would have loved to seen him here, but I think the players know Sheed will be a better fit- in the locker room and on the court.

[LarBrd33]

this is terrible news if you ask me.  Artest gives them the toughness they lacked.  OUch