Artest traded to the Rockets

bhelser

Bench Warmer
Ron Artest didn't opt out then doubted his decision. It looks like that might be a moot point.

The Houston Chronicle reported on Tuesday that the Sacramento Kings had agreed to trade the forward to the Rockets for Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick in 2009 and another player that the newspaper's source could not identify.

Two weeks ago, Artest told ESPN.com that he was unhappy with himself for not opting out of his deal and becoming a free agent before the July 1 deadline. He hoped to be traded to "a team out there that can be more committed than Sacramento to me."

In Houston, Artest would team with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming to form one of the toughest trios in the NBA. With Yao injured much of the season, the Rockets finished 55-27 last season, good for third in the Southwest Division. They lost in the first round to the Utah Jazz in six games.

Injuries held Artest to only 57 games last season, but he averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game for the 38-44 Kings. Sacramento traded point guard Mike Bibby during the season last year and dealing Artest shows that the team is in full rebuilding mode under second-year coach Reggie Theus.

Bobby Jackson, who split his time between New Orleans and Houston last season, averaged 7.7 points per game. This would be his second stint with the Kings where he had his most productive years of his career from 2000 to 2005.
 
IF and it is a HUGE IF tmac 7 yao stayed healthy they just got really good. a 3rd defender & scorer to go with some nice young talent & bench.
 
It won't matter, they still are not in the top 4 in the West with the trade. Lakers, Spurs, Suns, Hornets are all in front of them. Also the Mavs and Jazz are right in contention with them.
 
admin i agree and am a fellow laker fan for 30+ years . i am surprised as great as the west is they were able to make a move to get up into that group. artest would have made a difference in the jazz series. i think he needed to play for a bad team to respect what it will mean to be on a good one again
 
I think it is a great fit for the Rockets, and a good deal for the Kings (at least they got something for him, instead of him just leaving)!
 
I wonder if those guys are the new "big three" ;)

I think Artest could have a great year with the right attitude.
I can't see Yao putting up with nonsense from him.
 
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