Marc Stein, circa June 20th, 2008 (emphasis mine):
Let’s face it. The Lakers are suddenly answering to a “soft” label and have undeniable defensive and toughness issues on the perimeter that Pierce repeatedly exploited. Factor in Jackson’s proven ability to handle personalities like Artest, Artest’s friendship with Bryant and the Lakers’ known interest in acquiring him before Gasol’s arrival and the Sacramento swingman becomes a natural target.
But there are basketball issues involved — does Artest fit in offensively in Jackson’s triangle? — and bigger obstacles than the X’s and O’s to making that move. Artest told ESPN.com earlier this week that he’s “99 percent sure” he won’t be opting out of the final year of his contract by the June 30 deadline. Assuming he doesn’t change his mind, Artest would thus be available to the Lakers only via trade, which would then require two old rivals to come together on a deal …
Artest followed up our Tuesday interview with an e-mail Thursday in which he said: “Even if I was to opt out, which probably won’t happen, I will never accept a mid-level exception. So people trying to figure out possibilities should get that out of their heads.”
Translation: Artest is strongly against opting out largely because he knows that the Lakers (and any other interested party) likely would offer him a free-agent contract starting at no higher than the mid-level, which was $5.4 million this season. He’d rather play next season at $7.4 million for Sacramento or whomever — knowing that the Kings are virtually certain to get various trade offers if he elects to play out the final year of his contract — then see what kind of deal he can command on the 2009 free-agent market.
I would pay any amount of money to watch 2009 Ron Artest have a sit down with 2008 Ron Artest (via time travel or some inter-dimensional neutral ground, naturally) and try to convince him of the merits of signing for the midlevel exception. Hell, I’d probably pay a significant amount to watch Ron convince himself in the mirror.
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I’m really surprised he’d be willing to take the MLE, too. What are the odds he pulls an Elton Brand and backs out at the last minute, costing LA Ariza in the process?