Maybe I can't remember or maybe I have just never payed too much attention to news coming out of northern California, but what exactly has Artest done in Sacramento that shows what a giant cancer he is?
He got there at the end of the Kings good run with Bibby, Peja, and Miller falling out of their prime. In 2007 they lost 11 games more than the year before but came back with 5 more wins this year in a very tough conference.
I'm not saying that Artest isn't a volcano waiting to explode, because he probably is. What I am saying is that his recent behavior, at least from what I can remember or have heard or read about isn't that bad. If he has turned a corner, and that's a gigantic if, is he such a bad option to think about if there is no Posey?
If there is no Posey is a Scal, Allen, Davis and a pick such a bad option in a trade? They got a lot less for Bibby!!
which allen? if its tony, why on earth would sac take on scal's albatross contract and a guy with a history of catstropic injurys and incosistant play, and a bench rookie for ron artest? the 30th pick in the draft? no way they even look at that.
Thats a terrable trade for sac, unless their GM's been drinking, i don't think they take it. its a no risk trade for us, espacially if they don't sign him to an extension, but again this trade is so awful for sac...i don't see how you get them to take it. it would be diffrent if scal's contract was expiring.
as to what he's done, off the top of my head, he's had his commitment to basketball questioned by his owners, cused out an espn reporter, used team interviews to promote his rap label (this has been quashed since year one), and had his commitment to the team questioned by bibby.
other than that and assaulting a fan, he's been a model citizen.
Explain to me exactly how much more they got for Mike Bibby. Sheldon "I've never done anything to warrant being picked 5th" Willimas, the 42nd pick in this year's draft, and 3 absolute scrubs who's contracts expired.
The Kings are still $5-$6 million over the cap after dumping Bibby. They have to dump Kenny Thomas' and Artest's contracts to start getting under the cap. If Allen reup's for the one year offer Sactown gets some more relief at the end of next year and a first round pick. This team needs to start rebuilding. When doing so sometimes you have to take it on the chin in a trade or two to acquire picks.
Dumping Artest now for a first and a second, a serviceable SG that plays defense and may, yes may, rebound from his injury better and produce on a team like the Kings isn't bad for getting rid of $17 million left on Artest's contract. They assume a Tony Allen one year deal and 2 years of $3 million per for Scal. It saves them $7 million, gives them a one year audition to look at Allen and gets them a pick or two.
They got a whole lot less for Bibby. Or maybe their GM was drunk when he made that trade.
