Reports: Rockets to acquire Artest in trade
by FOXSports.com
In return, the Kings will receive guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player — probably rookie Donte' Greene.
The Houston Chronicle first reported the deal on its Web site Tuesday night, citing an anonymous NBA executive with knowledge of the agreement. The Associated Press and Sacramento Bee later cited sources confirming the impending trade.
The Chronicle reported that the trade will not be announced until Aug. 14. Greene, the Rockets' first-round pick, is not permitted to be traded until then, one month from when he signed with Houston. The Rockets also will send the Kings more than $1 million in cash.
Artest, 28, is best known as the central figure in a brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich., four seasons ago. The NBA suspended him for 73 games following that incident, and Artest has a history of illegal and erratic behavior.
But the 6-7, 248-pound forward also is among the NBA's premier defenders and a versatile offensive player. The 2003-04 NBA Defensive Player of the Year while with the Indiana Pacers, he averaged 20.5 points last season for the Kings.
Despite injuries to McGrady and Yao, the Rockets finished 55-27 last season, just two games behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference. Without Yao, they fell to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs.
Artest had surgery on his left thumb in April and was expected to take 8-to-10 weeks to recover. His summer has been just as turbulent as most of his NBA career.
After wavering for more than two months, Artest elected not to opt out of the final year of his contract for $7.4 million by July 1. But the forward immediately announced he regretted his decision, saying the Kings had misled him on their interest in a long-term contract extension. Artest also said he couldn't see himself playing in Sacramento beyond next season.
Artest apologized to the Kings a few days later after a long discussion with Petrie - but one week after that, Artest demanded a trade, claiming he had been blinded to his career well-being by his friendship with the Maloof family, which owns the Kings.
Joe Maloof responded sharply to Artest, warning the forward to muzzle himself. Two weeks later, the Kings apparently found a taker for Artest's defensive skills and high-maintenance personality.
The trade will reunite Artest with Rick Adelman, who coached Sacramento when Artest was acquired by the Kings in a trade with Indiana during the 2005-06 season.
Artest played 40 games for Adelman and averaged 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.2 assists. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive first team.
Mark Stevens, Artest's agent, said the relationship Artest had with Adelman helped make the deal possible.
"Ron has a great relationship with Rick Adelman," Stevens told Houston television station KRIV. "He never wanted to leave Sacramento, but because of business he has to.
"Ron is grateful Adelman wants him to play for him again. It's a wish come true."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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