Artest ousts Ariza

Los Angeles, CA

On the same day that Shaquille O'neal declared "Win a ring for the King", as his new motto, the Lakers made a big free agent splash of their own. Today the Houston Rockets forward, Ron Artest, according to NBA.com, agreed in principal to a 5 year deal worth an estimated $32 million with the World Champion Lakers. The deal which would pay Artest the mid-level exception of about $5.6 million per year could be shortened to a 3 year $18 deal if he so chooses between now and  July 8th, the first day players can officially sign contracts for the 2009-10 campaign. For the Rockets, Artest averaged 17.9 points last season and is a career 16 PPG player. He was selected to the 2004 NBA All-Star team and was named the NBA Defensive Player of The Year the same season.

Much was made about the on-court shouting match and trash talking between Finals MVP Kobe Bryant and Artest during the Lakers second round series against Houston in last seasons playoffs. Don't think there will be any problems between the two come training camp and beyond. First of all, when Phil Jackson returns (assuming, I mean really, is he going to leave?) he will be just the guy to deal with a character like Artest. Remember it was PJ who handled the ever fragile, super eccentric Dennis Rodman in Chicago. Secondly, Kobe likes Ron, a lot. They are friends off the court and have a ton of mutual respect for each other. Bryant had this to say when asked about Artest in March by Lakers broadcaster John Ireland,

"We're friends, I like him a lot--like his game--always have." Then he added, "He competes...every night, every play. I've known him since high school and he's always been like that. He wants to win as much as I do...and I respect him--a lot."

If you don't think that's true, look at the numbers. The dollar amount that is. Artest is set to make just under $6 million per year in LA, in his one season with the Rockets he pocketed $7.4 mil. and put up career numbers. He could have cashed in elsewhere but decided his desire to win was greater. From his lips, "I've made money over my time in the NBA, I lost money [too] when David Stern suspended me," Artest said. "I'm not playing for the money anymore."