Ron Artest wants out? Plus trade idea

Ron Artest 'definitely' doesn't want trade

Denying a report from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Artest said Wednesday at Lakers practice that he doesn't want to be traded.

"No, definitely not," Artest said.

"Just because you're not comfortable doesn't mean that you're not happy," he said. "Obviously when I was on other teams, I got a lot of touches. But I'm playing with the greatest player in the history of the game, and I'm playing with All-Stars. I don't have a problem with looking bad on the court for the benefit of the team."

Via ESPN

Stein's report on Ron wanting out of LA

One source close to the situation insists that Ron Artest wants out.

Asked to react to that, Artest's agent David Bauman declined comment.

This is where I'm obligated to remind you that no one in the NBA can change his mind faster than the famously fickle Ron-Ron. Another pertinent disclaimer: Artest's play has been sufficiently sluggish in the second season of a five-year deal that whatever he wants is bound to be greeted by shrugs and scoffs, no matter how much he gave the Lakers in the epic final game of last season.

Via ESPN

Phil Jackson on possible moves

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, however, said Tuesday that the "door's open for business" before the Feb. 24 trade deadline, a follow-up to similar comments from General Manager Mitch Kupchak on Monday.

Jackson added that "it was a good calling card that Mitch threw out there," but who could the Lakers realistically trade?

Ron Artest is struggling and his trade value is low, considering he is 31 years old and has three more years after this for a total of $21.8 million.

Via LA Times

Its quite clear that Ron doesn't fit in with the Lakers system and Phil's method of publicly calling players out through the media isn't working. The Lakers need more help at both the 3 and at 1 even after signing Steve Blake to a multi-year contract this summer.

The Raptors on the other hand are in the midst of a 100 game losing streak and who knows when they will win the next game. A lot of their problems can be attributed to areas where they have really struggled at, defense (inside and out), rebounding and overall toughness. So here is my trade proposal that both the Lakers and the Raptors should seriously look at.


Los Angeles Lakers trade:

Ron Artest (15% trade kicker)
Steve Blake
Theo Ratliff (only included for salary reasons and will be bought out once deal is completed so he can return to LA)

Toronto Raptors trade:

Jose Calderon (10% trade kicker)
Linas Kleiza

The financial impact of the deal on both teams is about equal. For the Lakers, they bring back 51 million in committed salaries (trade kicked included) and send out 48 million in committed salaries (trade kicker included). A 7 million overall increase in committed salaries however they save more than 7M in 2013/14. Not a significant increase in salary considering they are improving their weak points.

For the Raptors, they bring back 48 million in committed salaries (trade kicked included) and send out 48 million in committed salaries (trade kicker included). However while the Lakers save money in 2013/14, the Raptors save money on an annual basis from now till the end of the 2012/13 season. Its just shuffling salaries. Now to the players.

Jose Calderon is a mistake free point guard that all coaches would love to have on their roster if he could stop opposing guards but could be hidden on a team surrounded by good defensive players, which the Lakers have. He can run an offense very smoothly and gives them a high percentage shooter from beyond the arc. Clear upgrade over both Fisher (just retire already) and Blake.

Moving on to Kleiza, who the Raptors had high hopes for, it seems that he is best utilized in a reduced role when he can be counted on for his scoring abilities. Kleiza's percentages have been subpar this season and can sometimes go in chuck-everything-at-the-basket-mode but some of it could be attributed to his sore knee. However he can score and is a better option as a spot up shooter/scorer in spurts than Artest backing up Matt Barnes.

The deal helps the Raptors in one specific area they always have struggled at ... perimeter defense. While Artest is not in DPOY form anymore, he is still better than anything on the roster and should raise the teams level of play in that area. He will also get a more expanded role on offense in Toronto as opposed to LA where he was relegated, and sometimes freezed out, to a spot up 'shooter', which was never Artest's strength. If Artest manages to come around, and I think he will once he gets out of Hollywood, he should be easier to move in future deals.

Ron also has the CFL in mind as a future career and local Toronto artists have recently held an art exhibit based on his life. Irrelevant points but I think Toronto fans will love him.

Blake is a steady point guard that is best served coming off the bench and is generally the type of player you would find on winning teams. He is also a better defensive player than Jose Calderon and him taking a reduced role opens up minutes for a young player like Bayless. Replacing weaker defensive players with better ones on the Raptors roster at the expense of some offensive production should be Colangelo's target at the trade deadline and in the future.

It doesn't get rid of Bargnani, one of the main liabilities on defense, but its a step in the right direction and it doesn't negatively impact their finances.