Trade talk involving Artest is heating up

The Ron Artest era in Sacramento might be nearing an end.

While the notion of the Kings small forward being traded has long been possible, it began to appear even more likely that he could be gone by the Feb. 21 trade deadline after a day in which both Artest and basketball president Geoff Petrie spoke like two parties not long for one another.

Artest – who said for the first time on Jan. 19 that he is likely to opt out of his contract this season and become a free agent – told The Bee's Martin McNeal that he didn't foresee a long-term future in Sacramento. Petrie, meanwhile, indicated that he and Artest have had recent conversations in which the reality that he could be moved before the deadline was reiterated.

Perhaps knowing that making one public statement is easier than making 29 phone calls to each of the league's general managers, Petrie made it clear that the player known as the one of the best two-way talents in the game is as available as ever if the deal is right.

"I've talked to Ron twice in the last two weeks about a lot of different things," Petrie said during halftime of the Kings' 105-91 win over Charlotte at Arco Arena on Wednesday night. "The biggest thing for him and everybody else is to keep playing as well as you can. Everybody knows the trading deadline is coming up. Like I've said before, we're not averse to trading anybody if it benefits us in some way and our future, and I think (Artest) is comfortable with that."

What Petrie may not be comfortable with is the notion of losing Artest for nothing in return. In essence, the situation is similar to the factors that led to Artest's trade to Sacramento in the first place. As the trade deadline approached in late January, 2006 former Kings forward Peja Stojakovic was also approaching a possible free agency season. If the deadline comes and goes with Artest in a Kings uniform – and if Petrie has no plans to sign Artest to a long-term deal – then his last option would be a sign-and-trade this summer.

Or, as is more likely the case, he could find a suitor who can offer some combination he desires. The Kings have long been looking to upgrade their power forward position, and they are also looking for draft picks and expiring contracts that could help clear salary cap space before the summer of 2009.

The Kings are believed to have had recent discussions with Denver regarding Artest, and could possibly be pursuing forward Nene Hilario. While Artest will make $7.4 million this season, the trade would work as it falls within the league rules of contracts coming within 20 percent of one another as Nene – in his sixth season – will earn $8.84 million this season in his contract that goes through 2011 with a player option for the 2011-12 campaign. Hilario, though, is battling testicular cancer and hasn't played since Jan. 7.

New York and Miami have shown interest Artest in the past, but circumstances continue to make those destinations less likely as Artest's next stop via trade. Not only is the Knicks' front office in shambles with the uncertain status of coach and team president Isiah Thomas, but the organization has been unwilling to give up a player the Kings covet in third-year forward David Lee. Miami and the Kings are not believed to have had recent discussions about Artest, and the Heat's horrific season has done little to increase the likelihood that they'd be interested in a short-term asset like Artest.

When asked of the latest status of trade talks, Petrie said, "They say 'Where there's sparks, there's fire?' Well we're still at the stage where you're rubbing two sticks together."

Has the phone been ringing more, he was asked? "A little bit," he answered.

Artest has been on an erratic spell of late, with his public displays including the on-floor tirade at coach Reggie Theus while playing Detroit on Jan. 18 and his bizarre antics at Utah on Friday that led to his ejection after two technicals. Privately, sources close to the team said he has exploded at Theus numerous times in recent weeks while growing frustrated with the season and the first-year coach.

When asked if Artest's recent behavior increased his desire to move Artest, Petrie said, "Not really. No, I don't really think so. I really don't. I know he started to lose it in that Utah game a little bit, but he was fine in Seattle and (Wednesday night). He's volatile."

Theus said he remains pleased with Artest's contributions.

"I think Ron has been, for the most part, a great teammate – for the most part," he said. "We've had a couple of incidents, but nothing I would call lasting. This past week has been a tough week for him, but that's been the extent of it I think.

"I'm a little thick-skinned that way. Those things don't bother me. We stay focused on what we have to do. We deal with what we have to deal with, and we move on."

The coming weeks will reveal whether Artest himself will be the one moving on.

About the writer:

• Call the Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582. Read his blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.