The local purple and gold rumors following the end of the Finals (if you’ve managed to wipe the horrifying images of Game 6 from your brain, please tell us how- other Lakers fans want to know) centered primarily around Lamar Odom and Sacramento’s Ron Artest. The math, for those who would advocate such a thing, seemed to add up: LO’s inconsistencies on the floor and large contract combined with the inconsistencies of Artest’s personality meant both were ripe to be moved. Despite Artest choosing not opting out of the final year of his contract in Sacramento- or perhaps because of it- the rumors are still swirling. Writes very reliable Kings beat writer Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee:
I’ve been told by numerous reliable people that it could happen quickly and that the Kings have already received calls from some of the expected pursuers of the small forward. The Lakers rang with no call back as yet from the Kings, and it appears the pieces in that possible deal have not changed. The Lakers are willing to offer forward Lamar Odom, but the question is whether they’re willing to take on the contract of forward Kenny Thomas (two seasons, approximately $18 million left).
Of course, it has seemed before as if certain trades were inevitable and they either didn’t happen or took months longer than expected, so who knows how this will play out.
With that in mind, perhaps it’s time to investigate some of the the pros and cons of such a deal, because man alive, this thing ain’t exactly cut and dried:
PRO: Artest, when focused, is still one of the league’s best defenders, and his toughness and intensity on that end could
indeed give the Lakers a serious boost.
CON: The “when focused” caveat above is a big one with a guy like Ron Ron. His attention to defense has slipped at times in Cowbellville over the last couple seasons.
PRO: Because Artest didn’t opt out of his deal, whatever team trades for him wouldn’t be forced to commit long term until after next season, which given his history of outright weirdness isn’t a bad thing (unless, of course, he spends the ‘08-’09 campaign freaking out because he doesn’t have an extension on the table, in which case it might be).
CON: For the Lakers, picking up Thomas, as Amick suggests they’d have to do, is a very bitter financial pill to swallow, even if they get to test drive Artest for a season before extending him.
PRO: Artest is a capable scorer, giving the Lakers another threat, and unlike Odom, Artest regularly looks for his shot.
CON: Unlike Odom, Artest regularly looks for his shot, and generally it takes the form of a jumper, shots which he doesn’t hit at a particularly high percentage (for all the criticism of Odom’s shooting, his ability to finish around the hoop makes him a higher percentage shooter, and even from the perimeter they’re comparable). Basically, he’s a 20 point a night guy vs. Odom’s 14, but Odom is far more efficient and willing to work within a structured offense.
PRO: Crazy as he can be, Artest is arguably one of the ten best players in the NBA, when you put the total package together. Crazy as he can be, those who know him well say a) he’s not a bad guy, and b) in the end, Artest desperately wants to win.
CON: It’s still fair to question how well Artest would accept being a cog in the Lakers machine, especially long term, behind Kobe, Pau Gasol, and on many night’s Andrew Bynum. Odom, on the other hand, not only accepts smaller banana status, but thrives in it.
PRO: As a true small forward, Artest fits more naturally into the Lakers lineup than Odom might on a front line that already includes Bynum and Gasol.
CON: Worries about Odom’s ability to stretch the floor with his outside shot are legit (not that Artest is a well established gunner), but Phil Jackson can figure out how to integrate Odom, Gasol, and Bynum, the Lakers could have an incredibly dynamic and versatile squad.
PRO: On paper, Artest fills a need and raises LA’s talent level.
CON: Games aren’t played on paper, and should things not mesh with Artest, the Lakers could have imported major chemistry issues.
Whether or not it actually happens remains to be seen. Right after the Finals, many Lakers fans would have ditched Odom for a sack of hammers. With more reflection, it’s a more nuanced prospect.
Discuss:
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There is no ‘pro’ involved with this proposed deal, from the Lakers’ perspective, if what they want to do is win the NBA championship.
Phil & the Lakers made a big mistake, which set their title hopes back for several years when they MADE THE MISTAKE of signing Gary Peyton … who did NOT have the ability (will?) to fit into Phil Jackson’s system.
Ron Artest is NOT Dennis Rodman.
If the Lakers make this trade, they are going to regret it … big-time, for years to come.
IMO, they are on the brink of All-Time Greatness … if they just let things lie for a while, see where Bynum is at physically, and return their same cast of characters from last season.
If they choose not to … a 70 Win season and the 2008-2009 championship will fail to materialize for this organization … which would be a real tragedy, sitting where they are right now.
Mitch … don’t do it …
It is pure, unadulterated, Fool’s Gold.
Ball Stoppers, like Ron Artest … do not fit with what Phil knows how to build.
they have 2 get artest why are ppl saying it is a risk what is a risk is lo staying so he can be lost in the finales thats a risk wake up ppl and stop being blind i like lo but what he did can not be forgoten