Ron Artest to the Lakers is not yet official but it looks like we’re just waiting for the formalities.

I don’t necessarily like this deal but this is a great pick up, knowing the Lakers could not afford Trevor Ariza.  Ariza is good and he probably deserves the $7 million to $8 million he was asking but in this Laker team where you have Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, that price is a stretch.

It’s what they call “the business side of basketball”.  I hate it but that’s what it is.  Like I said, I like Trevor Ariza for the Lakers better than Ron Artest.

I’m not a cap or negotiation guru but my ideal deal for Trevor Ariza and the Lakers would’ve been the $5.6 million mid-level exception for Ariza for 2 or 3 years and then he can get his big payday after that when Lamar Odom has started to decline at 33 years old.  That is also assuming that Odom takes a 2 to 3 year contract himself.

Of course, in the real world, and when you are the NBA player, you will want financial security up front.  You have to be “greedy” and take the biggest and/or longest contract you can.  Yes, I know, not all players are “greedy”.

Looking at the bright side, Ron Artest is an upgrade if, and only if, he is in his best behavior.  He was in his best behavior last season with the Rockets except for the playoff series with the Lakers where arguably he cost the Rockets a game or two (because of his ejections).

I’m sure the question that begs to be asked is will Ron Artest ever be in his best behavior for an entire season, including the playoffs?  It’s a big gamble for the Lakers part, I must admit.

However, given the circumstances – police powers of Kobe, Fish and Odom (and maybe Pau), respect for Kobe(?) and (childhood) friendship with Odom, and the high asking price of Ariza, having Artest is worth the risk.

To make it simpler, the worst case for the Lakers would’ve been no Artest, no Ariza, thus, no defensive small forward.  In my opinion, the Lakers made the most out of a situation and that’s just it.