No Artest in L.A.

Ron Artest will not be joining the Lakers in an offseason trade, as the forward was dealt to the Houston Rockets yesterday for rookie Donte Green, Bobby Jackson’s expiring contract and a first-round pick.  So the Lakers didn’t acquire the controversial defensive ace as many NBA pundits had anticipated.  Make no mistake; they’re still a top team in the league.

The club would have loved to swap Odom for Artest, but the Kings’ insistence on including Kenny Thomas’ hefty contract was probably a deal-breaker for Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak.  With Odom still on the roster, the Lakers are still in great shape to contend for a title.  With Andrew Bynum back, the team will receive some much-needed toughness on the inside.  Celtic bigs Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins seemed too physical for the Lakers in the finals, but there’s no way they would have manhandled the seven-foot, 275-pound Bynum.  He’ll inject rebounding and defense into the Lakers’ game, but will add that presence that makes opposing players hesitant to enter the paint on offense.  With Odom and Pau Gasol as second and third offensive options alongside Kobe Bryant, the offense is as potent as any in the league.  The team will be just fine sans Artest.

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