For Bobby Jackson, Donte Green, the 2009 draft pick and over $1 million in cash, Artest has been acquired by the Rockets.

The Lakers have been rumored to be frontrunners in the bid for Artest.  In my opinion, Artest would be a risky experiment for the Lakers.  Odom would have been traded for Artest and between the two, Artest is the more unpredictable one.  To make the long story short, the Lakers would be better off experimenting Odom’s play, than Artest’s, with Bynum around.

However, Artest’s “flight” to Houston doesn’t make the Lakers’ chances of succeeding next season any better.  Now, Houston has its own big 3 in Ming, McGrady and Artest… and a defensive specialist to boost (Battier).  Wow, with Battier, Artest, and Ming, they will have a defensive line to die for.

I feel bad for Kobe and the Lakers (and myself).  Just when it looked like the Lakers were going to retain the Western Conference Championship, here comes another big 3.

I just hope the Spurs outsmart this new big 3, then have the Lakers beat the Spurs again.

• Lakers’ Odom locking down opponents
• Odom wanted more shots in the post
• Farmar key part of the Lakers’ future
• Trade Lamar Odom?
• Bryant, Odom turning into big minutemen