If what other GM's are indicating right now before the trade deadline, interest this summer in signing Artest to a five year 50-70 million deal is unlikely to happen, putting Ron back into the mix for the Kings, as stated.
Ron is going to opt out of his contract, at any rate, whether he stays with the Kings post trade deadline or Petrie moves him.
JomalRon wants to work for a team that is vying for a championship RIGHT NOW.
So how would the Kings be in the running? Does Nimrod think the Kings are in the running? Kings Championship possibility next year? Or like most NBA players, Artest goes with the most cash. If that is Kings in 2008-9, then color Artest Kingly.
Ron will only "settle" for 5 years 50-70 mil? Is this the same agent that Bonzi had?
Reality, that financial range may be all that any GM will be willing to pay Artest. His reputation, while showing improvement in Sacramento, has not translated to trust with other organizations looking to improve while not having to answer tons of media questions because of the WHO, they bring in. Ron has expressed a keen desire to sign with a contender. Do any of the contenders, including San Antonio, want Ron?
If he finds few takers this summer because of his baggage, it is not out of the expectations for both the Kings and Artest to resign him here, where his teammates like him and his character flaws have mostly been overlooked by management.
Negative points to resigning him are considerable, however, such as the slowing of the development of Francisco Garcia as well as Quincey Douby and less playing time for a very talented John Salmons. He can, and has, proved to be erratic with the Kings as well. He ruined the Indiana Pacers, and produced absolutely the worse brawl in the history of the NBA. He has been arrested for both wife and dog abuse while in Sacramento.
Can he help a contender with just his basketball skills? You bet. But the actual list of teams willing to put up with him are down to two, other then the Kings, as far as I have heard.