Artest and Phoenix

[okhoops]

From the Sacramento Bee via HoopsHype this morning:

Among the teams I've been told to keep a serious eye on in the Artest sweepstakes: Dallas, Miami, Phoenix, San Antonio and maybe even Charlotte. I often wonder about Toronto as well, but have yet to hear anything substantial on that front.

With the window of opportunity closing rapidly on the Shaq/Nash run for a championship, I'm all over this one. What will it take to make this happen. With Shaq on board to keep Ron focused on the big picture, I think picking Artest up makes a ton of sense. Defense, toughness and 'tude. Three elements the Suns (and a lot of other teams) could use. Plus the Lakers don't get him. The problem may be the Kings insistence on including Kenny Thomas' contract. Thoughts?

 

[carey]

Only if we're trading Diaw for him and getting an extension signed at a reasonable amount. I don't really want to rent him for a year and then be stuck with Kenny Thomas.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

We need a back-up 4 in the worst way. By my count, we have Nash-Bell-Hill-Stoudemire-O'Neal backed up by Lue-Barbosa-Diaw-?-Lopez with Skinner, Tucker and Strawberry on the deep bench.

I LOVE the idea of Artest as our starting 3 with Hill in a 6th man role before Barbosa. Getting Artest in this role negates the need for us to get a legitimate starting 2 (you KNOW Bell would be better served off the bench as we currently stand). If we could parlay Diaw and Skinner into, say, David Lee and some expensive filler, I'd be all over it.

Nash-Bell-Artest-Stoudemire-O'Neal

Lue-Barbosa-Hill-Lee-Lopez

I would be uber-confident about that team....

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Damn! I forgot we have to trade for Artest!

Maybe a 3-way?

NYK sends:

David Lee/Jared Jeffries

NYK receives:

Boris Diaw

SAC sends:

Ron Artest

Sac receives:

Jared Jeffries/Alando Tucker

PHX sends: Boris Diaw/Alando Tucker

PHX receives:

Ron Artest/David Lee

It works in Real GM, so it must work in real life!!!!

 

[Goldfield]

Artest or Mike Miller would be good for this team.

 

[HooverDam]

Artest or Mike Miller would be good for this team.

Mike Miller just landed in Minnesota, he's part of Kevin McHales "Stockpile whiteys" plan, so don't expect him to move anytime soon.

I'd love for Artest to land in Phoenix. He'd give the Suns 2 good defenders in their starting 5 (he and Bell) which would hopefully make up for their other 3 starters being weak defenders. Plus a front court of Shaq, Amare and Artest could be the all headcase lineup- hooray.

I don't know what the Kings would want in return though. Pretty much the only real trading piece the Suns have is Barbosa, but the Kings are have Kevin Martin, they hardly need another high scoring 2 guard. Boris Diaw is certainly available, but his contract sucks and I'm not sure the Kings would want him.

EDIT: According to ESPNs trade machine, Boris Diaw for Ron Artest works straight up. However, thats a bad deal for the Kings. Maybe if the Suns included a 1st rounder (though they are running out of those quick). Plus the Kings want to move Kenny Thomas' contract so that unbalances the money in the trade. I think the Suns would have to sign and trade Giricek and Skinner (and possibly throw in Alando Tucker) to match the salaries of a (hopefully resigned) Artest and Thomas.

5. O'Neal/Lopez
4. Stoudemire/Thomas
3. Artest/Hill
2. Bell/Barbosa/Strawberry
1. Nash/Lue/Dragic

You'd have a fairly nice 9 man rotation (Hill, LB, Lopez and Lue being your main bench players) but its still pretty dang thing up front. Lopez is unproven and Kenny Thomas is undersized and hasn't done anything in years. Plus they'd be strapped financially, hopefully they'd luck into finding a serviceable big in the Summer league.

 

[overseascardfan]

Damn! I forgot we have to trade for Artest!

Maybe a 3-way?

NYK sends:

David Lee/Jared Jeffries

NYK receives:

Boris Diaw

SAC sends:

Ron Artest

Sac receives:

Jared Jeffries/Alando Tucker

PHX sends: Boris Diaw/Alando Tucker

PHX receives:

Ron Artest/David Lee

It works in Real GM, so it must work in real life!!!!

No way SAC does that unless they get rid of Thomas in the process, but I'd be all over that trade.

Although if we did the SAC trade wouldn't we have to include out TE in order to absorb Thomas' contract, as he would have to be included or SAC doesn't do it.

Roster:

Shaq/Lopez/D-leaguer
Amare/Thomas
Artest/Hill/Tucker
Barbosa/Bell/Strawberry
Nash/Lue/D-leaguer

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Not sure how accurate this article is, as the lakers and the nuggets are probably having more talks than any of the teams listed above. But moving diaw for artest in some fashion would be phenomenal.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

No way SAC does that unless they get rid of Thomas in the process, but I'd be all over that trade.

Although if we did the SAC trade wouldn't we have to include out TE in order to absorb Thomas' contract, as he would have to be included or SAC doesn't do it.

Roster:

Shaq/Lopez/D-leaguer
Amare/Thomas
Artest/Hill/Tucker
Barbosa/Bell/Strawberry
Nash/Lue/D-leaguer

Heck, I'd do a 2nd trade for Thomas using the TE (don't know if it works). However, we'd be paying double, which I don't mind, but it ain't my money. At Sarver's level of wealth, if he wants to win it all, he really shouldn't care either.

Nash-Bell-Artest-Stoudemire-O'Neal

Lue-Barbosa-Hill-Lee-Lopez

Dragic-Stawberry-Thomas-Skinner

Best shot ever for a ring, IMO....

 

[Sunsman43]

Like most of you, I am in favor of Ron Artest in Phoenix.

But three things will need to happen: 1. Kings want Kenny Thomas' large contract in the deal 2. Suns would want Artest to commit for long-term 3. Salaries Must Match so Diaw-for-Ron/Kenny will definately NOT work

Given those three issues and a run in the Trade Machine, here is what works:

Suns get:
Ron Artest
Kenny Thomas

King get:
Boris Diaw
Leandro Barbosa

Suns can then use Kenny Thomas as the backup big man they want behind Amare Stoudemire while signing a minimum deal to Sean Marks to return as the 5th big man. They can also have Devin Brown (see Coro article - he says he might join cause he wants Phoenix) sign for minimum deal to play at the shooting-guard behind Raja Bell.

C Shaq + Lopez + Marks
F Amare + Kenny + Marks
F Artest + Hill + Tucker
G Raja + Brown + DJ
G Nash + Lue + Dragic

Honestly, I can see the Suns winning a title with this club for 2 years.

 

[Mainstreet]

Please. No more Sean Marks.

 

[okhoops]

Like most of you, I am in favor of Ron Artest in Phoenix.

But three things will need to happen: 1. Kings want Kenny Thomas' large contract in the deal 2. Suns would want Artest to commit for long-term 3. Salaries Must Match so Diaw-for-Ron/Kenny will definately NOT work

Given those three issues and a run in the Trade Machine, here is what works:

Suns get:
Ron Artest
Kenny Thomas

King get:
Boris Diaw
Leandro Barbosa

Suns can then use Kenny Thomas as the backup big man they want behind Amare Stoudemire while signing a minimum deal to Sean Marks to return as the 5th big man. They can also have Devin Brown (see Coro article - he says he might join cause he wants Phoenix) sign for minimum deal to play at the shooting-guard behind Raja Bell.

C Shaq + Lopez + Marks
F Amare + Kenny + Marks
F Artest + Hill + Tucker
G Raja + Brown + DJ
G Nash + Lue + Dragic

Honestly, I can see the Suns winning a title with this club for 2 years.

I really like the way Francisco Garcia is developing. How about adding Tucker in return for Garcia?

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

how bout barbosa for lebron?

 

[sunsallday]

Wow a starting lineup with Artest does sound scary.

Nash
bell
Artest
Amare
SHAQ

That lineup is scary. We get a experienced PG in Nash who passes well, two wing players who play defense and can shoot the three giving us great perimeter defense, and twin towers in the paint who will guard the basket. Not only that, but we also have a very good 2nd and 3rd unit with Lue, Dragic(if he comes) for PG, Barbosa, DJ for SG, Hill, Tucker for SF, either Skinner or Marks or some other player for PF, and Lopez for center.

Do this trade now Kerr before its too late. If the Kings GMs are stupid, they will take Diaw and give us Artest with Diaw's horrible contract. Diaw is good at SF, but Artest is a complete upgrade as he is tougher and a better defender. I could see us easily a #1 or #2 with a whole lot of confidence in the West.

 

[sunsallday]

The only negative I see if we got Artest is if he is a cancer on the team and conflict happens on and off the court. Hopefully Artest has learned from his mistakes and is wiser and more mature.

 

[Bufalay]

The only negative I see if we got Artest is if he is a cancer on the team and conflict happens on and off the court. Hopefully Artest has learned from his mistakes and is wiser and more mature.

And hopefully Shaq won't be lazy, Diaw won't be passive and Amare learns to play D.

 

[Sunsman43]

And hopefully Shaq won't be lazy, Diaw won't be passive and Amare learns to play D.

Well, if you actually make the Artest trade you won't have to worry about Diaw being on the roster.

And Amare, I still think can indeed play some defense. Add Cartwright-n-Porter to the mix and I think he should be fine.

Shaq is Shaq. And at this stage of his career - whether he is or is not lazy doesn't matter. He is who he is and he will not change who he is. He has championship experience from being who he is and is going to be like beating a dead horse in telling him to not be lazy.

So - actually - your ONLY problem with the Suns if the Artest deal goes thru is making sure he behaves and doesn't cause any off-court problems that have the team chemistry on the court.

 

[devilalum]

If the Suns really want to make one more run at a title they're gonna have to roll the dice on something like this. Just standing pat or adding a fringe player like Lue isn't gonna do it.

At this point they really have nothing to lose.

 

[Sunsman43]

If the Suns really want to make one more run at a title they're gonna have to roll the dice on something like this. Just standing pat or adding a fringe player like Lue isn't gonna do it.

At this point they really have nothing to lose.

exactly.

 

[mojorizen7]

Those here that have read my posts(a small circle to be sure LOL)know that i've been lobbying for the SUNS to get Artest in here for over a year now.
As has been stated by myself previously and by some of you in this thread....a starting lineup of
NASH
BELL
ARTEST
STOUDEMIRE
SHAQ
along with the absence of one Mike D'Antoni as HC would get us out of the West IMO.
It would be risky to lose BARBS/DIAW in any potential deal as it would greatly thin out our bench/depth but i don't see ANYBODY matching up with that starting 5.
The SUNS would have to get some major production from some young faces ala DJ,TUCKER,LOPEZ etc.....along with still signing T.LUE to back up NASH as well as sign another servicable big(SKINNER).
Artest hasn't been in trouble in a while and while he's obviously never going to be a G.HILL type, everybody grows up a little at some point.
The SUNS are supposed to be in the business of winning championships...not trotting out a 12-man roster of model-citizen-nice-guys every year(just my opinion).
The SUNS took a chance on Barkley once and it nearly paid off. Actually it did because it put on the map.
Common sense & my gut feeling tells me Ron Ron is going to end up in a LAKER uniform. Phil Jackson once coached Dennis Rodman to a championship and as much as i loved "the Worm" we all know how unpredictably chaotic he was. Also when KOBE gets that feeling to defer the offense to someone else,Artest will gladly oblige. This makes sense.
Ron Ron's game IMO exemplifies exactly what the SUNS have generally lacked for years....toughness. Shaq's presence has done a great deal in improving that toughness but Artest BRINGS IT with the way he plays the game.
I would rent ARTEST for BARBS/DIAW/future #1 pick/whatever......IF the SUNS really want to take one last shot at the title this year. Otherwise, if we're looking to build something here then i wouldn't touch this, and we'll end up watching the LAKERS w/Ron Ron winning it all next June.

 

[Bufalay]

Well, if you actually make the Artest trade you won't have to worry about Diaw being on the roster.

And Amare, I still think can indeed play some defense. Add Cartwright-n-Porter to the mix and I think he should be fine.

Shaq is Shaq. And at this stage of his career - whether he is or is not lazy doesn't matter. He is who he is and he will not change who he is. He has championship experience from being who he is and is going to be like beating a dead horse in telling him to not be lazy.

So - actually - your ONLY problem with the Suns if the Artest deal goes thru is making sure he behaves and doesn't cause any off-court problems that have the team chemistry on the court.

I don't really have any problem with the Suns getting Artest. I only have a problem with the idea that "if this guy can change the one thing about him that keeps him from being great then things will be fine". If you aren't willing to accept the fact that Artest is crazy, then you have no business messing with him.

 

[PhxGametime]

Artest would be niiice but it sure seems there are a lot of rumors concerning the Suns the last couple of years...


Sign Lue already!


Don't know too much about Brown...

 

[pokerface]

I was informed by certain esteemed posters on this board that we would never ever EVER get Artest. Since they were so persistant in that belief and their reputation was so intact I must now believe aquiring Artest is a non possibility.

Sorry for ever mentioning Artest! It wont happen!

 

[overseascardfan]

Heck, I'd do a 2nd trade for Thomas using the TE (don't know if it works). However, we'd be paying double, which I don't mind, but it ain't my money. At Sarver's level of wealth, if he wants to win it all, he really shouldn't care either.]

Nash-Bell-Artest-Stoudemire-O'Neal

Lue-Barbosa-Hill-Lee-Lopez

Dragic-Stawberry-Thomas-Skinner

Best shot ever for a ring, IMO....

Question, we are over LT and Sarver must pay but can't Sarver just use increased ticket sale prices to pad his losses or atleast make some of his money back. If I was a multi-millionaire/billionaire I wouldn't mind paying 3-4 million as long as my team plays well enough for me to increase ticket prices. Can he do it or does the NBA forbid it?

 

[mojorizen7]

I was informed by certain esteemed posters on this board that we would never ever EVER get Artest. Since they were so persistant in that belief and their reputation was so intact I must now believe aquiring Artest is a non possibility.

Sorry for ever mentioning Artest! It wont happen!

Wha...?