GonzoStyle Wrote:

GonzoStyle Wrote:

Quote:Knicks: Could Artest Be Newest Knick ?
By Wendell Maxey Jr.
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jan 2, 2007, 06:45

When the New York Knicks dropped their second straight game on a five game west coast roadie to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, 90-80, it was more than the Knicks that were blown out of the water.

The trade rumor which circulated last week had the Clippers sending Cory Maggette to Sacramento for Ron Artest was also shot down on New Years Eve day by Elgin Baylor, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Clippers, who claimed he was no longer interested in acquiring Artest.

Can Isiah Thomas say the same?

Over the past few weeks, a stretch where the Knicks have gone 4-3 since their infamous brawl, Thomas has mentioned time and again that he likes where is club is at and that he is happy with the roster he has formed. He repeated the phrase when a couple of beat writers inquired about the possibility of landing Allen Iverson who was being shopped at the time by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Different All-Star. But is the response really the same?

Now with Ron Artest (14.9 points per game/ 6.80 rebounds per game) readily available and the Kings looking for suitors, will Thomas go on a post holiday shopping spree during New York's stop in Sacramento on Tuesday night?

This isn't the first time Artest, a Queensbridge native who played two seasons at St. John's, and the Knicks have been partnered in trade rumors together. In fact, Artest himself has made it known that playing for the hometown orange and blue would be a dream come true.

Not exactly something Rick Carlisle, Rick Adelman, and Eric Musselman could have been fond of hearing at any point of their coaching of Artest. Thomas on the other hand has to love Ron-Ron's rap and talk of one day playing for the Knicks. So why not today or at least locking in a deal before the NBA trade deadline hits at the end of February?

Joe and Gavin Maloof are all ears if the Thomas decides to talk and play let's make a deal.

As for the Knicks, there are a couple of points of contention.

First, as much as Thomas wants to believe, all is not well with the 13-20 Knicks. Saying he is happy is one thing. Cringes during the Knicks defensive woes scream a different story. Imagine what Artest, a player known for his ability to control the defensive end by himself, do for New York, not to mention Thomas chances at seeing another season as the Knicks head coach. Second, who would Thomas be willing to part with if a trade is to be made?

This is the tricky part, a point clearly open for speculation.

One scenario could involve Channing Frye, Mardy Collins, and Jerome James heading to Sacramento for Artest, while another possibility might include David Lee, Nate Robinson, and Malik Rose to the Kings. The Frye, Collins, and James situation fits the best for the Knicks and Artest who is due to make 7.1 million this year. After an amazing rookie year and rough start to his sophomore season, Frye is coming into his own for the Knicks and making the most of his starting role for Thomas. At 6'11, Frye is a player many teams inquired about during last season and Thomas was hesitant to part with then. But with the emergence of David Lee as the Knicks leading rebounder and the addition of Jared Jeffries this offseason, Frye could be the odd man out once Thomas truly has a healthy roster and everyone is back from suspension.

Collins and James would basically be included to sweeten the deal and would help iron out the dollars and cents of the negotiations.

The chances of Ron Artest finishing out the season as a Sacramento King is bleak. He hasn't been shy about letting Kings ownership know he isn't please with his situation in Sacramento. Isiah Thomas knows where he is coming from. Although Thomas paints a picture of serenity and chemistry with the Knicks, this is hardly the scene many have witnessed during the tank jobs to the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers. This alone can't make Thomas happy and his signature grin is no where to be found.

Perhaps a fresh start in this new year is just what Artest and Thomas need. They might as well travel that road together all the way back to New York as part of the Knicks.