Ron Artest is leaving the Rockets to join Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, while Trevor Ariza is leaving Los Angeles for Houston.
David Bauman, Artest’s agent, told The that the Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the Lakers next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.
ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying the deal was still being negotiated.
“We’re not quite there yet,” Bauman said. “We’re still working on it.”
A person familiar with Ariza’s negotiations with the Rockets told The that Houston had reached a multiyear deal with free agent small forward.
The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.
The 6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA championship.
Artest earned $7.4 million in his only season with Houston, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year was also a rugged 1-on-1 defender, often assigned to guard the opponent’s most dynamic scorer.
Shaq wants a ring for the King
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Shaquille O’Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
“My motto is very simple,” the 15-time All-Star center said. “Win a ring for the King.”
Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O’Neal was introduced by the Cavaliers, who believe he can be their missing piece. The city of Cleveland has been waiting since 1964 for one of its three pro sports franchises to win a championship.
During a 30-minute news conference that was more of a TV talk show featuring Shaq, the 37-year-old star said he just wants to fit in with a Cavaliers team that won 66 regular-season games last season but was eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by the Orlando Magic.
Report: Knicks willing to give free agent Kidd three-year deal
NEW YORK - Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd.
Sources told ESPN.com that the New York Knicks would offer a three-year deal to point guard Jason Kidd.
The Knicks hosted Kidd and his agent Wednesday on the first day of free agency and are hoping he’ll leave Dallas to come to New York.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Kidd.
