LA Lakers Trade Options: Ron Artest and Pau Gasol’s Replacements for 2011

Ron Artest may seem to be on the opposite side of the hill than most NBA businessmen would appreciate.

His newly acquired state of tranquility may not fool me into thinking that he has turned over a calmer leaf, but I would fall short of saying that he cannot be of assistance to teams in the NBA that need that form of defensive aggression and occasionally clutch three-point bullet.

I know what you are thinking.

Artest’s contract of about $6.3 million dollars makes a salary cap cringe, because he is not necessarily one of those men who you trade for and all is right with the world. If there are some major needs on a squad and not much room to bargain, leave Artest be.

However, if a team is already structurally set for a deep playoff run and just needs that one last role player, Ron Artest could be the guy to fulfill those desires. There was once a time where he was as brilliant on the defensive end as they come. Many people refuse to remember that in last year’s finals, Artest was coming up with the perfect shots at the perfect time.

The Dallas series has made me question the motive and drive of every player on the Lakers’ squad with the exception of Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant. His time in purple and gold is seemingly up and the midseason melee about Artest wanting out seems to have more truth behind it than ever.

 

Replacement: DeMarcus Cousins

When you’re talking about someone who is aggressive on both ends of the floor, you immediately spark in interest for rookie forward, DeMarcus Cousins.

He may have maturity issues that still need to be settled and Coach Mike Brown would have a field day containing his attitude, but it is undoubtedly accurate that he would be able to not only assist Andrew Bynum in the paint, but would be able to put up a few mid-range and around the rim finishing points of his own.

Ev...

About the Author