On Basketball: Artest's rep could impact possible move

For all the things he said that couldn't happen (last season's emotional wanderings of quitting the NBA to play in Europe) or wouldn't happen (reflexive declarations that the Kings will make the playoffs), this is the one that can and possibly will.

Ron Artest recently said he sees his time in Sacramento ending, and for the first time, his comments are grounded in reality.

This being Artest, the situation, naturally, is complicated. He didn't demand an outbound ticket before the Feb. 21 trade deadline. He didn't insist he was leaving as a free agent in the summer. And, in the other disclaimer, most every previous uh-oh statement about his Kings life was invariably followed by a clarification or reconciliation and pledge of undying loyalty to the organization.

The difference in February 2008 is that his words – and his signature unpredictability – carry actual consequences: If Artest really does want out, the Kings must consider their reaction with the understanding that he can declare himself a free agent July 1 and leave without compensation. Even if they gave their starting small forward some soothing TLC in the wake of comments that he doesn't feel a real commitment – a strange sense given the number of times the team has stood by him – can he be trusted in the summer to re-sign or agree to a sign-and-trade that would ensure Sacramento it would not lose a talented player without compensation?

In the other problem-of-the-moment for the Kings: "I think there's very few teams that'll touch him," one opposing executive, who did not want his name used because of the delicate nature of trade possibilities, said of the chances of an equitable deal by Feb. 21.

Most prominent, he's Ron Artest, forever a center of controversy, a source of conflict and frustration and unreliable behavior. But now he also is about to become a free agent, having already said he probably would exercise an escape clause to get a contract that will pay more than the $7.4 million now earmarked for the 2008-09 season.

"I don't think there's that great of a market," said another front-office executive who did not want to be identified because of similar reasons. "You've got the combination of the baggage he brings personally and the baggage that will come into your team professionally. And then you've got the baggage with the contract situation."

But, the superior defense? The energy? The toughness?

"He brings it all," the personnel veteran said. "But is trying to deal with all the other stuff worth it? I don't think so."

The assessment is not uncommon in front offices around the league.

"You keep crossing names (of potential destinations) off the list," the first exec said. "After a while, you're out of names."

Which is different than impossible to trade.

Some potential suitors will view Artest's uncertain contract future as an advantage, an escape clause of their own in case he does not fit well in the new setting. Others won't rate such an unknown as a benefit but will be interested in dealing anyway during a title push in a season in which most teams want to store up for wide-open playoffs.

Either way, it won't take giving up equal talent to get him, needing only to essentially match Artest's $7.4 million salary of 2007-08 to make a deal work within the rules of the salary cap. In that regard, the Kings have a much better chance of getting intriguing offers than they would for Mike Bibby, who is making $13.5 million, a figure that would require stacking more contracts – a lot more contracts in some situations – and likely bloated contracts that Sacramento has no interest in taking back.

The Kings could always keep Artest and let him walk as a free agent to clear cap space, a realistic scenario. But that also would mean losing one of their best players – someone 28 years old and able to fit into future plans – without compensation.

It has become an issue for the moment, rather than unavoidable until summer, because of the Feb. 21 deadline. Maybe Artest will say by then that he wants to stay with a new deal, maybe he won't. Or maybe it won't matter what he says because the Kings have heard it all before and will make their decision without concern for his.

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