RON ARTEST TO LAKERS
07/03/2009

Top defender - and top nutter - Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Word is he's taking a slight pay-cut, with a three-year deal worth around $18 million.

"I don't really care about the money," the forward claimed.

"I'll play there for nothing…L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me."

The Houston Rockets - who are losing Artest - have essentially swapped players by agreeing to terms with Lakers free agent forward Trevor Ariza...who's set to get a $32 million, 5 year contract.

This could work out very well - or very badly - for the Lakers. Ron Ron is one of the best defenders in the league and a real hustler.

However, to say he is a loose cannon is like saying Charles Barkley eats a little too much.

Can the Lakers survive another ego?

Can Kobe get on with a guy he was beefing with in the play-offs just a matter of weeks ago?

LA-LA Land just got a little crazier!

shawn - Saturday, July 4th I don't care for Artest as a player or a person. He may or may not have anything to offer the Lakers. The big mistake, though, is losing Trevor Ariza, who is a talented defender and good role player on offense. He played a major part in winning the championship, and I am sorry to see him leave the Lakers.