Artest to L.A.

The Lakers are losing Trevor Ariza and have somehow managed to get even better. Ron Artest has agreed in principle to a 3 year 18 million dollar deal. Artest is a better scorer and defender then Ariza. He provides the Lakers with much needed toughness at the 3 position and has the ability to defend the best player on other teams. In the playoffs Artest can guard Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Roy, Richard Jefferson or any other explosive player on a Western Conference contender. This will allow Kobe to be an even greater threat on the offensive end. Ariza overplayed his hand and balked at the Lakers 5 year 33 million dollar offer. He thought that he could get more in the free agent market and has been proven wrong. He is leaving L.A. to take the same deal with a worse team, the Houston Rockets. He will find more pressure and greater expectations in Houston.

I like this move for L.A. Artest should fit in nicely with the Lakers. If they can resign Odom they will field a superior team to last years champions.