Russakoff Rules
Cavs Eye Artest, Ariza
By Lee Russakoff
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:52:06 GMT
Cleveland may have missed out in the Charlie Villanueva sweepstakes, but it seems the Cavs have turned their eyes to a greater prize.Ron Artest (...or Trevor Ariza).
Not satisfied with landing "The Big Freeze," LeBron James and Co. have begun wooing The Artest Formerly Known As Ron.
According to The Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers pitch to Artest included a Tuseday night meeting with King James.
According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events.Cleveland has also started to ogle Trevor Ariza, now that it has become clear he may be willing to stray from L.A.
Ariza's agent, David Lee, told the Riverside, Calif., Press-Enterprise Wednesday, "I think I'm being optimistic when I say it's not going anywhere [with the Lakers]." He added that Ariza might be ready to sign elsewhere.
Both players are unrestricted free agents and are being courted by several teams. Without a sign-and-trade deal, the most the Cavs could sign a player to is a salary starting at around $5.6 million with their midlevel exception. Artest made $7.4 million last season, Ariza $3.1 million.
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Comment
If the Cavs can some how swing a deal for Artest start fitting them for rings now! The problem they had was no size to guard on the perimeter, Artest would change that. And if in the process someone woos Ariza from the Lakers!.. then they won't be t he same team either.I'm A DC guy but I would like to see Lebron get a championship.
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:13:23 GMT | alynso2