Breaking: Report Says Ron Artest Traded To Houston Rockets

Oh, what a day it has been.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a deal is in place for the Sacramento Kings to send volatile guard forward Ron Artest to the Houston Rockets, in exchange for Bobby Jackson, a first round pick, and an additional player not yet named. Sources suggest it is most likely rookie forward Donte Greene.

When I talked to Daryl Morey at Summer League, I asked him if 90% of the trade rumors were false. He replied “Oh, 100%.” I also asked if he felt like the Rockets roster was finished. He replied “We’ll see.” I guess we have.

The addition is both exciting and puzzling. On the exciting side, this is Morey’s first major deal, and possibly the one acquisition to get this team into the championship contention that has so long escaped it. It’s puzzling because the Rockets already have a defensive guard forward, and an excellent one in Shane Battier. This now brings the possibility of a Tracy McGrady, Artest, Battier, Luis Scola, Yao Ming lineup. And that just makes my brain hurt.

For the Kings, if the Lakers weren’t going to take Kenny Thomas (woof), they weren’t going to take Kenny Thomas (woof). The Kings wanted a shooter guard, a slasher wing, and a draft pick. They got it. They could have gone for the homerun big star, but they’re looking at their long-term cap flexibility. The Kings are going to be considered the “losers” in this trade, but if you analyze the different goals of both teams, it’s a win-win.

The Tru Warier and the Dynasty. Get your tickets.