Jump to content

Artest to the Knicks?


JonDigital

Recommended Posts

July 3, 2007 -- Armed with two new trade pawns in the expiring contracts of Dan Dickau and Fred Jones, the advent of free agency and a new edict that character no longer matters, Isiah Thomas wants to swing another deal or two this month.While free-agent Rashard Lewis is their pipe dream, on-the-block Ron Artest is more attainable. Thomas had stayed clear of his former player because of his list of violent transgressions that soured owner James Dolan. With the acquisitions of troubled Zach Randolph, the character issue is dead.

 

Artest, whose fallen out of favor in Sacramento, makes sense. Small forward is the hole in the lineup, and Artest would make the Knicks a solid perimeter defensive team that would cover up their shot-blocking woes. Jared Jeffries was such a disappointment that Quentin Richardson is slated to start there next season.

 

Thomas has 17 players on the roster - two above the max, so another trade is coming - even if it's lateral. The new players can't be dealt for 30 days, so Jared Jeffries, Nate Robinson and Randolph Morris are being shopped.

 

While he promised he wouldn't use his $5 million mid-level exception this summer, indications are he could back off that stance following the Randolph trade. He would prefer to add a free agent via a 3-for-1 sign-and-trade.

 

"I've been active and we'll continue to be active," said Thomas, who broke a 16-month trade drought with the Randolph deal. "If there's someone we identify fitting the team we're building, we'll go after them like we went after others. I don't consider this a finished product by any stretch."

 

Thomas confirmed he spoke to free-agent Rashard Lewis when free agency opened Sunday. Lewis could make a recruiting visit, but the Knicks' chances of doing a sign-and-trade with the Sonics are small. They'll be competing with a number of teams, including under-the-cap Orlando. Lewis made a recruiting visit to Orlando yesterday.

 

"He's a person of interest," Thomas said. "Anytime you can get a good player, you get him."

 

*Thomas went out of his way to make cap throw-ins Dickau and Jones feel as if they will stick with the team, perhaps trying to pump their trade value. Thomas presented them with white Knicks jerseys and Isiah told anecdotes about the two players. Dickau and Jones were stung by the deal as they had local connections - Jones is a Portland native and Dickau played at Gonzaga. When Randolph posed with Rangers signees Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, it should be noted Dickau and Jones were asked to leave the frame. Asked if this trade made them a playoff team, Thomas said, "I think it should." . . . Randolph said he will be in Las Vegas to participate in the Knicks' voluntary big-man camp beginning July 9.

 

I would love Artest on the Heat but if the Knicks acquired him I would be humble losing out to the Knicks just to see what kind of drama could go down every night with the character guys that would be on that team.

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07032007/sport...marc_berman.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He's in the city as we speak (bro just texted me a pic of him walkin in the streets)

You know you have to post it

it was blackberry messaged to me... how would i get to here?

Good question. You could always send it to me via MMS and I could pull it right off my memory card :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they were to make it, 'the knicks' might be a reality show i actually watch

 

"The Knicks"-set to premier on Fox this fall.

 

That would be the greatest show....ever.

 

 

Next week on "The Knicks," Ron Artest discovers someone ate his last yogurt...and sparks will fly. Meanwhile, Zach continues to address the problems he has with his mother.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Artest, the player, would be such a perfect fit for this team it's not funny. It's just too bad Artest the human being is such a piece of sh*t. If (probably when) the Knicks acquire him, I'll back him and pray coming back home calms him down -- but I doubt it highly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...