02-25-2008, 10:00 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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MANRAM!
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NORCAL
Age: 23
Posts: 18,070
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Re: Agent: Artest 'not likely' to become free agent
Artest says he's content as a King
Quote:
"The (Kings) team likes me; the players like me; the franchise likes playing me," Artest said. "There are a lot of good reasons to be in Sacramento still."
Yet as Artest knows, he might have been dealt if the Kings had received offers they deemed fair value. As it was, the most notable situation, with Denver, was hung up because of a player who isn't even a starter (Nuggets small forward Linas Kleiza).
"They were trying to bargain shop," Artest said. "They were trying to get government cheese, and I'm Kraft."
The Artest of old returned in another way, as he took talk of reaching the playoffs to another level, saying the Kings still could surge to as high as sixth in the Western Conference. They are in 11th place, seven games out of the No. 8 spot shared by Denver and Golden State.
And after his agent said Thursday that Artest is not likely to opt out of his contract this summer and become a free agent, Artest said he's content in Sacramento for now.
"Coach (Reggie Theus) has been going to me," he said. "What more could a player who wants the ball want, when your coach is going to you and asking you to win games? I've got to be blessed and thank God for the situation I'm in right now."
Playing with the Kings beyond this contract, of course, would require co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof and basketball president Geoff Petrie to make a competitive offer this summer or next.
"I guess I can put a camera in Geoff Petrie and the Maloofs' office and see if they might want me," Artest said with a laugh.
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