Ron-Ron is gone-gone, and exactly why no one knows.
Exactly is the key word, because Ron Artest was traded not only because the Kings feared a season-long negative attitude after learning he was not in the team's long-term future.
There's no way the Kings unload an asset – and regardless of anything connected with his history, Artest remained a coveted player – for Bobby Jackson, a 2009 first-round draft choice and rookie Donte Greene unless there was more to their discontent.
Artest played too hard for that to be the case.
The Kings could have traded for more established talent,but the team's goal remains creating sizeable cap room for the summer of 2010. Then again, a cap angel could materialize a miracle and rid them of what league sources say are Brad Miller's $12.25 million, Kenny Thomas' $8.78 million , and Shareef Abdur-Rahim's $6.6 million salaries in 2009-10.
Established players offered in trades had more years of salary than the Kings were willing to take.
Now we probably won't know all there was to Artest's player jacket until the deal with Houston becomes official Aug. 14. The Kings won't say anything that could jeopardize the trade.
No matter how much the Kings like the potential of Greene, the decision to trade Artest now was as close to desperation and panic as we've seen out of team basketball president Geoff Petrie during his 16-year stint with the club.
There was no salary cap gain by making the deal now. It's conceivable – although hardly a lock – Artest's value could have escalated during the season by the trade deadline. It only would have taken one team to believe he was the missing piece to a championship run to make a more appealing offer.
So it seems fair to surmise the Kings were not willing to take such a gamble.
Petrie is compiling young talent, chips as it may be, to play down the road. Artest clearly is a dominant personality, and positives and negatives are part of that package. He'll never back down, and that inspires confidence in younger, inexperienced players.
Artest will also speak his mind, and it's likely the front office feared those shared thoughts might influence the youngsters.
As one of the reporters against trading for Artest in 2006, the deal worked out better than expected. He helped lead the Kings to the playoffs in 2006 and, barring a few postseason injuries and bone-head plays, the Kings might have upset the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
It willl be interesting to see what the Kings look like this season because given good health and player development, I think they'll surpass quite a few expectations. Still, they're a long shot to contend for a playoff berth.
More than just hoops
Injured and recently re-signed Monarchs forward DeMya Walker has a girls basketball camp set Wednesday through Friday at Burbank High School designed to give young ladies a comprehensive experience.
There will be skills and drills, but also preparation for high school, college and life.
Said Walker: "Sometimes it's hard for some to be that 'girly-girl' while wanting to compete. Ladies get caught up in that strength thing and that's OK as long you can be yourself. You can be aggressive on the floor and still be a lady off the floor.
"I go hard on the court," she said, "but I love my stilettos."
For more information, call (916) 514-0611.
