The Mavericks and Ron Artest
In a league like the NBA, there's always a lot of trade rumors flying around. Lately the hottest rumors have surrounded Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest. Widely regarded as the best defensive forward in basketball, Artest has worn out his welcome in Indiana and has forced the team to trade him.
The Dallas Mavericks have not been immune from these trade rumors. I think the Mavericks would be better off without him. There's no doubt that he could help the Mavericks with his basketball skills, assuming that he would behave and that the Mavericks could get him cheaply. Both of those are huge ifs…
Behavior -
Not only is Artest the player who ignited the most famous brawl in NBA history by charging into the stands to attack fans (some who no doubt deserved it for throwing things at him), he is also the player that asked for a vacation during the NBA season so he could work on his rap album (which he did when the Pacers suspended him).
A reason Artest has cited for wanting to be traded is that he wants to be a bigger part of a team's offense, something that would seem unlikely in Dallas. Assuming the Mavericks kept Howard and Nowitzki, would Artest be happy just getting the minutes that had gone to Van Horn? Maybe, maybe not. Or Dallas could could make room for more minutes for Artest by playing Dirk at center, something I would not want to see.
Cost -
One, very unfounded, rumor had the Mavericks getting Artest for Stackhouse. I would do that trade, but it's going to take more than Stackhouse to get Artest. Realistically, it would take giving up Howard or Harris, which I wouldn't want to do. At the least, it would take giving up Daniels and Van Horn (whose contract expires this year, making it a vulnerable trade commodity) and taking back a bad contract from Indiana along with Artest. Reportedly, Indiana has received offers for Artest that include All-star level players or draft picks (the Mavericks don't have any future first round picks to trade for some time, and the would likely be lower picks and therefore worth less anyways).
Bottom Line: I don't think it would be worth it for the Mavericks to trade for Ron Artest.
As a side note: does anyone else remember when the Mavericks could shoot free throws?
The Dallas Mavericks have not been immune from these trade rumors. I think the Mavericks would be better off without him. There's no doubt that he could help the Mavericks with his basketball skills, assuming that he would behave and that the Mavericks could get him cheaply. Both of those are huge ifs…
Behavior -
Not only is Artest the player who ignited the most famous brawl in NBA history by charging into the stands to attack fans (some who no doubt deserved it for throwing things at him), he is also the player that asked for a vacation during the NBA season so he could work on his rap album (which he did when the Pacers suspended him).
A reason Artest has cited for wanting to be traded is that he wants to be a bigger part of a team's offense, something that would seem unlikely in Dallas. Assuming the Mavericks kept Howard and Nowitzki, would Artest be happy just getting the minutes that had gone to Van Horn? Maybe, maybe not. Or Dallas could could make room for more minutes for Artest by playing Dirk at center, something I would not want to see.
Cost -
One, very unfounded, rumor had the Mavericks getting Artest for Stackhouse. I would do that trade, but it's going to take more than Stackhouse to get Artest. Realistically, it would take giving up Howard or Harris, which I wouldn't want to do. At the least, it would take giving up Daniels and Van Horn (whose contract expires this year, making it a vulnerable trade commodity) and taking back a bad contract from Indiana along with Artest. Reportedly, Indiana has received offers for Artest that include All-star level players or draft picks (the Mavericks don't have any future first round picks to trade for some time, and the would likely be lower picks and therefore worth less anyways).
Bottom Line: I don't think it would be worth it for the Mavericks to trade for Ron Artest.
As a side note: does anyone else remember when the Mavericks could shoot free throws?
posted by Freethinker at 10:37:00 PM
4 Comments:
Yeah you probably make all the right arguments for why we shoudn't pull this deal....but come on, wouldn't things be a little more exciting around here????
If they win, that'll be exciting enough.
I agree with everything you said. My first reaction to hearing that maybe they could land Artest for Stackhouse was, 'Do it!' But after having some time to think about it, I think it would be wise to pass. I would strongly oppose it if Howard or Harris had to be added to the deal.
Going into this last off-season, I thought the Mavs should just stay put and tweak a little. This is pretty much what they have done and it seems to be paying off thus far. I say let's just let this stew continue to simmer and see how it turns out.
I agree, let's just hope they don't have to play the Lakers in the first round.
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