It's been reported that Ron Artest is now signing on with the Lakers... If that's true, I guess Trevor Ariza's less than loyal move about not being paid enough stung with the Lakers' front office - more news as the story develops.

UPDATE x2*
Looks like it was the LAKERS who did Ariza dirty - read this on ESPN - Apparently Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak told Lee (Ariza's agent) to shop around and come back to the Lakers, and then they will *perhaps* match their offer (like a Restricted Free Agent). Apparently Ariza was mad and then with Artest being signed...well, sorry to say - he should have gone to Cleveland.

UPDATE*

Looks like its official - a 3-year, $18 million dollar deal for Ron Artest to come to the Lake Show. As ESPN puts it: 'In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."'

When asked about the money (which is why he didn't sign with Houston again) he said:

"I've made money over my time in the NBA, I lost money when David Stern suspended me [in 2006 for his role in the infamous Pacers-Pistons brawl]," Artest told ESPN. "I'm not playing for the money anymore."

He apparently switched over to the Purple and Gold because he wanted to win a ring. However, what nags me (and I'm surprised there isn't even MORE fans with the same reaction), is that, DON'T WE HATE ARTEST IN LAKER TOWN??? Yes he's a great defensive player, and with maybe working with Kobe he could improve his shooting to a more consistent level, but I'm just wondering how much we lost out on the potential growth of Trevor Ariza - and how badly Ariza must be feeling now that he lost out on being with the Lakers again as a contender. As well, what could have been a bigger basketball rivalery coming next year (Artest Vs. Kobe, Bynum Vs. Howard, LeBron & Shaq vs. Lakers, etc...) has a huge change-up - and I can't help but wonder how much chemistry is going to be affected with Artest on the Lakers now.

I'm pretty sure that most of the Lakers team saw it as betrayal that Ariza didn't agree to sign up with the Lakers again - he could have said 'yes, I'm only sticking with Lakers but I want more money - or at least more increasing every year' - but instead he said "he was looking around." UMMM, HELLO??? The Lakers just won a championship, and 5.6$ million is nothing to sneeze at - Ariza could have done a two year, 3rd year option and with the economy probably picking up, and would have made it a good time to ask for a huge bonus, with the Lakers happily obliging (especially if they win a few more).

When Ariza was asked about how much he wanted to be a Laker, his agent (David Lee, that dumbass) said, '"If you cut him, he bleeds purple and gold," Lee said. "The issue is whether the Lakers want to pay him."'

I think getting an extra $2.6 million (from about 3.1$ million to 5.7 (give or take)) is nothing to sneeze at, especially since you only had one break-through year... And as Lee puts it, 'Ariza already has firm offers from several other teams, according to Lee, and will begin speaking with opposing coaches today. Asked if he could envision Ariza accepting a deal from another team without speaking to the Lakers again, Lee said, "Yes, we have no choice. That's the position they've put us in."'

All I can say is... wow. As reported by ESPN, Ariza agreed to a 5 year, $33 million dollar deal - just about 6.5$ million a year, about $450,000 more per year to play with Houston. Did he really make a smart move? I'm pretty sure Ariza's kicking himself in the foot right now when he screwed up his chance to win another ring...or be a starter. If I were him, I'd fire Lee and get myself a new damn agent.

Either way, have fun in Houston Ariza, with two injured all-stars and a lazy-ass town now with Artest gone. It was a good run, but once you turn your back, the city ain't got no love for you Ariza - just look at how Shaq turned out.

EH

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