From FoxSports:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9762030/Reports:-Artest-says-he%27ll-sign-with-Lakers
Ron-Ron in La-La Land?
It's looking that way. Ron Artest, the enigmatic and talented free-agent small forward, said Thursday that he'll soon be joining the Los Angeles Lakers, according to multiple reports.
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Artest told CBSSportsline.com and ESPN.com that he will sign with the defending NBA champions. The Los Angeles Times says the two sides are close to reaching a deal, probably for the full mid-level exception, roughly five years and $32 million.
No deal can be official until July 8 because of an NBA moratorium on moves.
If Artest joins the Lakers, that will likely end the team's pursuit of free agent Trevor Ariza, who helped them win the championship and was seeking a significant pay raise.
The Lakers still are expected to make a strong bid to keep Lamar Odom, another of their stars who is now an unrestricted free agent.
Tags: Ron Artest Lakers Kobe Bryant NBA
