Photo. Stephen HillWith Thursday’s trade deadline fast approaching, the Nuggets have entered themselves into the Western Conference arms race. In George Karl’s dream world, the Nuggets would add talent while also subtracting J.R. Smith.
One possibility is swapping Smith, Linas Kleiza, Eduardo Najera and Steven Hunter for Zach Randolph and another Knick.
From the Knicks perspective that sounds like a great way to drive ticket sales into the ground. From Denver’s perspective, adding Zach would be a counter to the Suns’ and Lakers’ frontcourt add-ons.
But some might say that this move would be more like the C-Webb signing than the Gasol or Shaq trades. Neither Gasol nor the reconfigured O’Neal need a ton of touches to put in work. But Zach on the other hand?
“For now,” writes Dave Krieger, “tempting as one of these big names might be, another player demanding the ball is about the last thing the Nuggets need.”
But don’t ask us who the Nuggets need - ‘Melo was playing GM from yesterday’s media day. And he made it very clear that Ron Artest is the piece that the Nuggets need.
“I really believe that, if we get Ron Ar- test, that will make our team a lot more powerful, a lot more stronger, a lot deeper than we are right now,” said Anthony.
“Ron Artest, you can’t go wrong with him. I don’t care what happened in the past and the off-the-court things. . . . On the court, he brings it every night.”
February 16th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Amar says:
Nuggets don’t have enough thugs. That’s the missing piece for sure . . . not a pass-first point guard or anything like that . . .
February 16th, 2008 at 10:29 am
djKianoosh says:
ok, for sure Artest is an upgrade over Najera, but if you’re losing Kleiza’s threes, then that’s a big loss. Look how much better Korver made Utah and it wasn’t like that’s such a big piece. It’s just a little more consistency from a deep threat.
Kleiza is Denver’s best 3pt shooter is he not? You can’t give him up in that trade. find someone else. the Lakers got Gasol for dirt cheap, why can’t the Nuggets get Artest for cheaper?
February 16th, 2008 at 10:33 am
djKianoosh says:
now, according to the article, if they get Delonte West (he’s good from threes, right?) along with Artest, in some kind of three way deal, then that would work. Denver needs to get back a 3pt threat if they give up Kleiza.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Steve M says:
“Kleiza is Denver’s best 3pt shooter is he not? You can’t give him up in that trade. find someone else. the Lakers got Gasol for dirt cheap, why can’t the Nuggets get Artest for cheaper?”
They can’t get Artest for cheaper because Geoff Petrie is not an idoit. If you look at the guys track record he’s a pretty good GM. The feeling around here is that if Petrie can’t get what he wants (an expiring contract and a good young player) he’ll let Artest walk after this season. Part of the reason the Kings want to trade him is for cap relief so letting him walk if he op’s out accomplishes that. Sure the kings don’t get a young stud but Petrie is a good Draft guy so who says the Kings don’t get one in the draft anyway. They are going to be in the lottery.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
doc says:
nugs get artest they a prob
February 16th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Willis says:
Also Artest isn’t that bad from 3 pt land himself. My only thing is, him and Melo play the same position. You could move Ron to the 4 because he can guard 4’s. But you can’t move him to the 2 because most everyone that plays there is quicker than him, except for Kobe, and guys like Raja Bell.
As the resident Kings fan, I’d like to see him gone, but to the Rockets. Because their 4 spot is a nastier situation when compared to Denvers, and with Yao weak side, they could afford to do that. You think San Antonio wants to see Bonzi Wells and Ron Artest in the playoffs again?
And with Petrie, you have to give him what he wants. He won’t come down on any trade.
February 16th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
word says:
if the nuggets get artest thats ill, i hope this goes through.
February 16th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
myrie says:
Denver don’t need Ron Artest. They need either Steve Blake or Andre Miller back. Their weakness is team defense and a steady PG.
They don’t have any pieces to move to Sacto to make a realistic trade. And they certainly do not need Zach Randolph.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Bone says:
That’s a pretty steep price to pay for someone who might not even start. Artest is not going to start at the 4 against all the giant PFs over K-Mart. K-Mart, Camby, and Melo is a great frontline.
I agree - they need to try and get someone like Andre Miller who can actually run an offense and let AI really play the 2 spot. Send JR Smith, Najera, and Stephen Hunter to Philly for Miller, but please DO NOT trade Klieza.
February 16th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
mrcanadian says:
why doesn’t dallas trade for artest with some of those spare parts they were going to throw in the kidd trade. a lot of people didn’t feel kidd was worth the price, but mavs clearly need to toughen up, and artest would be worth the risk even if it was only for this year and next. when he first got to the kings, they were rock solid with him and put up a good fight against the spurs in the playoffs. if artest shows that kind of commitment, it would be less of gamble then shaq, and would match up well with the gasol trade. do it mark, do it.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Amar says:
nuggets + artest = automatic Utah wins the division