Real Hoops - Potential Ron Artest Trades

There's drama in L.A.  What else is new?

First, Jerry West criticized the Lakers defensive prowess, suggesting they're just too old.  (Like he's one to talk.  What is he like 80?  We'd like to see him get out there and guard Monte Ellis. Grumpy old bastard. What has he ever done for the Lakers or even the game of basketball.  Nobody criticizes Kobe.)  Then, Ron Artest wants to be traded.  Next, Ron Artest doesn't want to be traded. (It's quite possible Ron Artest wants both).  Now Mitch Kupchak says a trade may be in order.  All the while, Kobe's is definitely not a dick and never did anything wrong in a hotel room in Colorado. 
Anyway, talk of trades always gets us excited at the chance to break out the ESPN Trade Machine and screw around.  (If Bill Simmons is the self-professed Picasso of the Trade Machine, we're the insane guy that throws his own feces at the wall and calls it modern art.  Your dumb if you don't get it.)

If the Lakers do truly want to make a trade they face one rather large problem - they almost completely lack assets.  Their best players (Kobe, Gasol and Odom) are to varying degrees untouchable and a large chunk of the rest of the roster is either unwantable (Barnes, Ratliff, Smith) or untradable (Blake - bad contract any non-contending team) or both (Walton).  That leaves them with 2 guys that are worth much more to them then anyone else (Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown), one guy they'd rather not trade (Bynum) and one guy they'd love to get rid of (Artest.)  Add in any likely late, late 1st round pick they could offer and the assets don't exactly bowl you over.

Is Artest tradeable?

The simple answer is yes - anyone can be traded.  The real issue is more complicated.  Because the Lakers are the two-time defending champs with a coach on his last year and an aging star player, any trade they make has to find a team that is willing to: (1) take on the $6m per for three years left on the deal of a player who is putting up career low numbers across the board; and (2) give us a player of value to the Lakers that, at the very least, doesn't make them worse, i.e. it can't just be a salary dump. 

That makes the parameters of any potential trade pretty straightforward: Find a team with an equally bad (likely longer) contract for another under performing player, sell them that a rejuvenated Artest - who scored 18 ppg and had a PER of 15.64 only two years ago (and was even better the year before that) could spur them to the playoffs with his toughness and defense, and hope they take a shot.  As you can imagine, with the 31 year-old Ron Ron playing at an all-time low level (8 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 asp, PER 11.16) and still carrying a well-deserved reputation as a bit of a nut job, it's a struggle to come up with teams that fit that criteria.

One other thing to note is that two struggling teams (Indiana and Detroit) who could have potentially been enticed with a first round pick or through the Lakers assumption of a bad contract are automatically off the list due to that whole "Going in the stands and beating up fans" thing that was so overblown a few years ago.

Where Could Artest Go?

Ron Artest, Derrick Caracter and part of a trade exception to Atlanta for Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia.

Who says no?  Probably Atlanta. 

Despite being stuck in the Eastern Conference's eternal 4-5 rut of mediocrity - destined to, at best, lose to Boston or Miami in the second round of the playoffs, it seems unlikely that they'd move Williams.  Despite his shortcomings and lack of defined position, Williams was still a former #1 overall pick who is is still young, athletic and in possession of some upside.  He's got similar numbers to Artest so to move him simply to shake things up and shed Puchilia's dumb contract (3 yrs, $4m per) is probably too risky.  No to mention that teaming up the combustible Artest with Josh Smith puts them perilously close to reaching Crazy Critical Mass in the locker room. 
It would be a no brainer for LA, getting a more athletic, less insane player who could replace much of what Artest brought to the table.  Williams defends (though not on the same level as Artest) and shoots well enough and only costs $1m per over the next 3 years.  Taking on Zaza's contract would simply be the cost of doing business.  Money doesn't really matter to the Lakers, does it?


Artest to Phoenix for Josh Childress.

Who says no?  The Lakers.

After spending two years in Greece, Childless hasn't gotten himself reaccustomed to NBA-play quite yet (5 ppg/3rpg and a PER of 12).  The Suns might entertain the offer on the grounds that owner Robert Sarver is super cheap (Artest is signed for one year less than Childress) and (2) they might be so irrationally convinced they can contend with Steve Nash that a potentially rejuvenated Artest looks enticing. 

For the Lakers, they'd rid themselves of Artest's weirdness and get a more athletic, defensively capable wing to try to replace some of his production.  Childress is a decent spot-up shooter who runs the floor and hits the boards well for his size.  The additional year on the contract isn't ideal but if they truly want to make a change, these are the types of moves they'd have to consider.


3.  Artest (and filler) to Charlotte for Boris Diaw and Matt Carrol's Unconscionable Contract

Who says no?  Charlotte.

If Larry Brown were still coaching the Bobs this trade would have happened already.  Dumping a soft PF for a proven "tough" "winner" like Artest in his eternal quest to coach every single player in the league?  That's right in LB's wheelhouse.  With Brown gone, however, we'd guess that Charlotte - who is in contention for a playoff spot - would rather keep Diaw and his $9m expiring contract and pay Matt Carroll another two years of $4m to work on his crocheting than add Artest and his contract.  From a basketball standpoint, Diaw is probably a better fit for them anyway due to his ability to play PF.   

For the Lakers, shedding Artest's contract for one year of the versatile Diaw would make some sense.  Diaw is a natural 4, but he can play some 3 and is both an exceptional passer (a huge asset in the triangle) and defender.  He'd add even more versatility and length to an already stocked Laker front line.  As for Carrol - at least his contract is shorted than Ron-Ron's.

All Those Deals Suck - Now What?

As you can see, the pickings are slim if the Lakers want to move Artest alone.  Things would get slightly more interesting if they added another piece - one we said they'd rather not trade - namely, Andrew Bynum.  How interesting depends strictly on how you feel about Bynum.  Is the the best under 25 center in the league (Howard is 25) or is he a talented big guy who can't seem to stay healthy?  We tend to lean toward the latter category, but we're quite sure some GM's out there feel differently. 

Losing Bynum threatens to take away what makes the Lakers so special - their size.  Without Bynum, Gasol has to play the 5 much more frequently, which has shown to wear him down.  So, in any deal, they'd likely need to get back at least a serviceable big guy (and probably a capable wing player) to avoid killing their championship hopes.

Here are the potential deals:

Artest and Bynum to Atlanta for Josh Smith and Marvin Williams

Who says no?  The Lakers.

The more we think about this one the more we like it for the Hawks and hate it for the Lakers.  The Hawks could finally get the size in the middle they really need, move Horford to PF where he belongs and become a really stout defensive team.  They'd be slightly less athletic but a line-up of Bynum, Horford, Artest, Johnson and Bibby/Crawford would give anybody trouble - particularly a smaller team like, say Miami - and allow them to match-up big-on-big with Orlando, Boston and Chicago.

For the Lakers, while adding the explosive talented Smith would be helpful, they'd face the problem we identified earlier - losing their unique size advantage.  Bynum's absence would put too much pressure on Gasol to play 40 minutes at center and leave the back-up 5 minutes to some combination of Odom, Theo Ratliff and Joe Smith.  Odom is great but this isn't the World Championships. 

Artest and Bynum to Charlotte for Tyrus Thomas, Gerald Wallace and MCUC

Who says no?  Probably Charlotte.

Again, this one comes down to how you feel about Bynum.  If he's a rising center, moving Wallace (an arguably overpaid, limited star) and 4 more years of Tyrus Thomas seems about right.  If not?  Well, it seems like robbery.  Bynum could fill the massive void in the middle for Charlotte long-term and change their identity as an undersized, athletic team with one bold move.

This would be semi-ideal for the Lakers.  Both Wallace and Thomas are crazy athletic players who provide real value on the defensive end.  Wallace runs the floor, finishes with authority and routinely snags double-digit boards from the wing (he averaged a double-double last season).  While, he's not the on-the-ball defender Artest is but he's a more than capable fill-in ranking highly in both steals and blocks and plays with an infectious energy.  Thomas generally sucks on offense but he wouldn't be called on to score in LA and could focus on doing what he does well - blocking shots and dunking. 

3.  Artest and Bynum to Philadelphia for Andre Iguodala, Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni

Who says no?  Not sure.

The Sixers are challenging for a playoff spot right now, but we still think they need to move on from the Andre Iguodala era.  He's a really good player but his limited offensive game makes him unsuited to be the lead man and for a team not close to contenting, his contract is onerous.  It's a heavy price to pay but, if they believe in Bynum, he could be worth the price.  Bynum's size and athleticism could help their other big investment, Elton Brand, become more effective with the added bonus of putting the ball in Evan Turner's hands move and giving him the opportunity he needs to shine.  Nocioni's contract would be a good one to get off the books.

For the Lakers, Iggy is the obvious prize here.  He'd be a perfect fit as a "Doesn't Need the Ball" wing running with Kobe and Gasol.  He's an excellent defender and passer and is capable of carrying the team for short periods of time when the other guys need a break.  Plus, his performance at the World Championships cemented his status as a guy willing to do the little things to win.  He's an ideal #2 guy for anyone from Kobe to LeBron to Durant.  As for the bit pieces, the deal could be done without Hawes but the Lakers likely want him for his size - he's a capable offensive player who can knock down open shots and get some blocks.  Nocioni would be good bench insurance. 

Artest and Bynum to Minnesota for Kevin Love, Martell Webster and Jonny Flynn

Who says no?  Not the Lakers. 

In any reality-based world, this trade never happens.  Fortunately for us, T'Wolves GM David Kahn isn't bound by logic.  While it's highly, highly unlikely Love would get moved in a season where he's leading the league in rebounding and put up an absurd 30/30 game, if your the Lakers you have to at least call, right?  Maybe the T'Wolves jump at the chance to snag a franchise center and maybe they're not that committed to Love (remember he came off the bench to start the season)?  Who knows.  Never underestimate the power of KAHNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love would be the ultimate coup for LA.  He's a relentless rebounder, good passer and knocks down 3's with regularity.  He'd be an excellent compliment to Gasol and Odom inside and would spreading the floor for everyone else.  The Lakers would be easily the best rebounding team in the league.  Flynn's been awful in his career so far (some measurements have him as the worst PG in the league) but he was a high pick (6th overall) and is strong and quick enough to potentially give the Lakers some defensive minutes in a pinch against super quick PGs.  Webster is a solid shooter and an adequate defender with a contract Minny could be trying to get out from under (Corey Brewer could easily be substituted for Webster and is a better defender but worse shooter).   
Bonus Carmelo Anthony Trade

Reports surfaced today that (it really was inevitable) that the Lakers made some inquiries about Carmelo.With the Nuggets are reportedly looking for a combination of young players, cap relief and picks and said to be completely uninterested in Artest, it would seem the Lakers - who can offer only Bynum - aren't a match.  Still, they could sweeten the pot by agreeing to take back some of the Nuggets awful contracts in something that looks like this:

Bynum, Fisher, Barnes, some combination of 1st round picks and a trade exception to Denver for Carmelo Anthony, Chris Andersen and Al Harrington.

Again, this really doesn't offer much to Denver unless, of course, they think Bynum is big-time.  They'd shed some really bad contracts in Andersen ($4.5 for 4) and Harrington ($5.7m for 5) while taking back Bynum's short-term deal and Fisher's relatively friendly deal (the Lakers would certainly prefer to include Walton instead but his 3 years at $4m are likely too much for Denver to want to swallow).  Ultimately, it doesn't seem like much of a return for your franchise player.

For the Lakers, it's debatable how much better this would make them this year.  They give up their unique size advantage for more scoring. (Do they really need more scoring?)  They'd have to play small with Melo starting at the 4 or move Artest to the bench and start Melo and Odom.  Either way, Gasol would have to play a ton of minutes at center with little help.  Harrington is a power forward in name only since he doesn't rebound or defend and seems entirely content to stand around and shoot 3s and Andersen is useful only in small doses.  As for the future, Melo certainly helps the eventual transition from Kobe and, for the time being, makes the Lakers are very similar team to the ones in Miami and Boston.  Guess everybody wants a Big Three. 

If nothing else, it'd be interesting and, as a bonus, crush Knicks fans.