Artest reiterates he'd be better off elsewhere

Ron Artest is talking in days now, not the months or even years he spoke of last week.

And not only does the Kings' small forward believe he is not in the organization's long-term future, as he said Wednesday, he's quite sure now that he won't be around beyond the Feb. 21 trade deadline. Nor, Artest added, should he be.

"I just think they (the Kings) would be better if I wasn't on the team," Artest told The Bee at Monday's practice. "I think (Kings coach Reggie Theus) would be doing much better."

With the Feb. 21 trade deadline nearing, there are strong indications the Kings are searching hard for the right deal to move Artest. But the prospect of trading the player who plans on becoming a free agent this summer is no absolute certainty, even if Artest believes otherwise.

Reached long after practice via e-mail to clarify his stance, Artest seemed so certain he was on his way out that he admitted feeling nostalgic toward his teammates.

"Just the feeling of knowing your last days (as) a King are near, I just try to appreciate the guys every day," he wrote. "They are the best."

Artest has expressed his belief that the Kings don't appear interested in signing him for the long term. The Kings, meanwhile, have had recent conversations with Denver regarding Artest, but they might let the situation unfold with the hope that offers improve as teams around the league grow more desperate closer to the deadline. If Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie isn't offered a package he deems suitable – one likely including a combination of expiring contracts, draft picks and young talent – then he might let the deadline come and go with Artest remaining on the roster.

Asked why he thinks the Kings are better without him, Artest said he just doesn't fit.

"I don't know, just personnel; just personnel," he said. "It'd be better if I wasn't on the team."

Artest is not believed to have asked for a trade, nor would he seem willing to. In recent weeks, he recounted the trade demand in Indiana that led to his being dealt to Sacramento in late January 2006, admitting regret over the way he forced his exit. When asked via e-mail if he wants to be traded, Artest instead shared how he sees himself as an obstacle to teammates Francisco García and John Salmons.

"García and Salmons blossom better when I'm not around," he wrote. "I really enjoy watching them. John Salmons is someone that I look up to and García is a very great friend and I like watching them play.

"I'm really proud of the guys. Without them, we would have not been in the situation we are in now."

While Salmons continues to offer sporadic contributions off the bench, García's playing time has diminished since the team's roster returned to health. Most recently, he tied his season low of 12 minutes against Charlotte on Wednesday and set a new season low two days later against New Orleans (six minutes). In that span, he's missed all nine of his field goals, including five three-point attempts.

"After the game, I talked to (Theus) and he said to be patient," said García, who has averaged 16.8 points in 17 games as a starter this season during Artest's numerous absences. "It's working for us right now so I just have to wait for my time like I did before."

The last three games have shown how much Artest can aid the Kings' cause when he's at his best, as he has averaged 24.3 points on 51.8 percent shooting in wins over Charlotte, New Orleans and Chicago.

Yet despite winning 10 of their last 14 games, the 22-24 Kings are still six games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. That might be causing more uneasiness for Artest, who incessantly talks of championships and said earlier this season that he was "not about to go two straight years not being in the playoffs."

For the Kings, reaching the .500 mark is the next objective. Artest, however, wants more.

"Five hundred (stinks)," he said to a group of media after practice. "It ain't no big deal, man. I think coach wants to get to .500. Last year, (former coach Eric) Musselman was wanting to get to .500. If I'm going to be .500 for my career, I don't even want to play in the NBA."

About the writer:

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