Yahoo! is reporting that the LA times are reporting that CBS is reporting that...Ron Artest may be about to sign with LA.
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That would be sick. They'd win with ease next year. Phil Jackson would definitely come back!Comment -
If Artest signs for the mid-level exemption that would free up the Lakers to sign Lamar Odom. I think it's a given that Trevor Ariza is not coming back. In fact I hear he's talking with Houston.
If the Lakers sign Artest they'll have two of the top defensive players in the league. Sick.Comment -
I thought Cleve wanted Artest?Comment -
I heard that Arest has wanted to sign with the Lakers from the beginning. He was at a few of the playoff games and has expressed a desire to live and work in LA. You know he's got that "rap" career that he began a few years ago following the "Malice at the Palace".Comment -
Local Los Angeles radio just said Ariza isn't overly valued by Lakers front office.Comment -
Artest to Cleveland is more probable..Comment -
Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he's leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
Artest
In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."
ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports that Artest and the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement on what is believed to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $18 million. Wednesday is the first day free agents are permitted to sign new deals.
Artest's decision was first reported by CBSSports.com. The mercurial swingman was initially courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his text message, Artest said that he met Thursday with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and had spoken to coach Phil Jackson about the move to Los Angeles, where Artest has been spending his offseasons.
Artest's forthcoming arrival strongly suggests that unrestricted free agent Trevor Ariza -- who played such a pivotal run in the Lakers' championship run -- is bound to leave the team. Broussard reported Wednesday that, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, Ariza was likely to leave the Lakers for a new team because L.A. was reluctant to sign him to a contract starting above the league's $5.6 million mid-level exception, even after Ariza's postseason success.
Ariza has been courted by numerous teams, including Cleveland, and met Thursday in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to possibly swap spots with Artest.Comment -
Cleveland is probably gonna pick up Ariza then.. Artest and Kobe seemed to really like each other in the playoffs.. I thought it was going to be the opposite..Comment
