Marc Stein says Ron Artest wants to be traded. Ron Artest says he’s happy to stay in L.A. to pursue another title. Who do you believe? Truth is it doesn’t really matter.
Ron Artest isn’t going anywhere.
Even if Ron Ron wants off the Laker Ship he’s here to stay. Even if Marc Stein wants nothing more than his rumor filled report to be made right he’s just going to have to suck it up and move on.
Ron Artest is going nowhere.
For starters, I don’t think there is much of a market for a 31-year-old with $21-million left on his contract and who is in the middle of the worst statistical year of his career. Good luck trying to sell that one, Mitch Kupchak.
Secondly, the Lakers have nothing to gain from allowing Artest to walk after one year. While he might not be the same bully we’ve seen in previous years, the Lakers are going to need all the toughness they can get come playoff time. Let’s face it Pau Gasol isn’t going to morph into Charles Oakley anytime soon.
Third, there is really only one way out of L.A. for Artest – quitting. There won’t be any suitors out there to make a deal. Therefore the only means for Ron to get out of Los Angeles would be to walk out or be outright released. In essence, he’d have to quit. While Ron might be among the kings of inexplicable behavior but one thing his pride won’t allow is to be viewed as the man who quit in the middle of a title defense.
Not saying Marc Stien’s report is flat out wrong, just saying that there isn’t much of a chance of it being right.
Like it or not. Rumor or truth. For better or worse, Artest is here to stay.
Drama is nothing new around the most famous franchise in all of hoops. In fact, when there’s no drama things just don’t feel right. Sometimes these are the things that bring out the best. Other times it can be the last straw. Either way, its par for the course and this isn’t the last rumor the Lakers will be refuting this year.