You knew the honeymoon wouldn’t last forever.
We are talking about Ron Artest here, so no one should be surprised. The Lakers should be happy that they were able to get one semi normal year out of Artest that ended with a championship.
The Lakers who seem to be in a bit of panic, are looking to make a move and according to ESPN. Artest would like to be the one that goes.
I’m told that there’s at least one prominent Laker who hopes he’s the guy who gets shipped out in the next 20-odd days.
One source close to the situation insists that Ron Artest wants out.
Asked to react to that, Artest’s agent David Bauman declined comment.
This is where I’m obligated to remind you that no one in the NBA can change his mind faster than the famously fickle Ron-Ron. Another pertinent disclaimer: Artest’s play has been sufficiently sluggish in the second season of a five-year deal that whatever he wants is bound to be greeted by shrugs and scoffs, no matter how much he gave the Lakers in the epic final game of last season.
While Artest the character has been performing at an All-Star level for his year and a half with the Lakers, the player on the court has been sub par especially in his second season.
The Lakers would be wise to trade him, but the question begs does anyone else in the NBA want him?