Artest loves LA
Ron Artest
officially signed with the champion Lakers, the team he wanted to join for years.
Artest, who played for the Rockets last season, received a five-year deal worth about $33 million, according to his agent.
“This was a long time coming,’’ Artest said. “As I started to compete against the Lakers and against Kobe [ Bryant], I had respect for him and I always wanted to be a teammate of his.’’
The Lakers also re-signed guard Shannon Brown to a two-year contract for $4.2 million.
Marion a Maverick?
A person with knowledge of the deal says the Mavericks will acquire forward Shawn Marion from Toronto. The Raptors couldn’t afford to re-sign Marion because they need to clear salary cap space for Hedo Turkoglu. They are close to an agreement with the Magic free agent. The trade is expected to include at least one other team to make the salaries work. Oklahoma City and Memphis are likely candidates . . . Other free agent signings that became official included Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva with the Bulls, and Trevor Ariza with the Rockets. Toronto also signed former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani to a five-year, $50 million contract extension, Atlanta reached an agreement with center Zaza Pachulia on a new four-year contract, and reserve forward-center Chris Andersen re-upped for five years with the Nuggets.
