Ron Artest Giveaway: Part 2

3. Minnesota Wolves

One of the main candidates in the draw for Ron Artest is also one of the quietest. Minnesota has expressed serious interest in the Pacer rebel, but hasn’t made any offers. Szczerbiak for Artest seems logical except that Wally makes $4 million more than Artest. To really tip the scales, Minnesota might have to take on Austin Chroshere, one of the highest-paid players in NBA history. The Wolves have a lot of people to send, starting with C Michael Olowakandi. Although adding him with Szczerbiak might be too much baggage to take on. Also, if Minnesota makes the playoffs this year, they won’t have a first-round pick. Surely they would have to offer some draft picks for Ron Artest and currently they are not in a position to do so.

2. Denver Nuggets

Ron Artest would be a better fit in Denver positionally because the Nuggets’ only weak spot is SF, where DeMarr Johnson and Greg Buckner play. Unfortunately for them, their No. 1 trade bait, Nene, is out for the year and an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Earl Watson has been on the trading bloc since day one, but he could leave Seattle before he has a chance to get to Indi. Both Martin and Camby are injured at this time and will not be taken by Indiana. If it’s enough, it’s unlikely. They are looking for third and fourth teams to participate in the deal and it will be difficult to please everyone. They’ll have to offer an immediate player to replace Artest’s Indiana job, which they can’t do right now. They will have to rely on other teams to pick up the slack in a multiple deal.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Aaah, so after looking at all the teams, this is the one most likely to pick Artest. Of course, LA has never been immune from taking on any kind of controversy. No coach in the NBA is better equipped to order Artest than Phil Jackson, whose crazy Zen style could work with Artest. After all, it was Jackson who got Rodman to work in Chicago. The main reason the Lakers are the No. 1 opportunity is that Kobe Bryant wants Ron Artest and, as Chucky Atkins said, “Kobe is the GM.” Lamar Odom for Artest seemed unlikely at first as Jackson was okay with Odom producing. But after Odom missed the key 3 in his games against Miami and Washington, Phil isn’t as excited about Odom anymore. Now, the biggest downside to this deal would obviously be that Artest wants to be “the man” wherever he goes and Kobe takes 30 shots a game. But who said that Ron Artest and logic ever went together?

Rest assured, like TO, Artest will be good for about a year (if victory occurs). He’ll ruin any team he goes to, whether it’s Los Angeles or Denver. But that’s the risk. The teams that offer themselves for him have nothing to lose. For LA, they still have to justify letting Shaq go and would launch into contention again. Even getting Ron Artest isn’t as dumb as letting Shaq go.