Artest to Lakers--Not in 10 Million Years

One player the Lakers probably won't be acquiring is Sacramento forward Ron Artest, who holds a one-year player option for $7.4 million, but Artest has said he would opt out only if he could make more money as a free agent. The most the Lakers could offer would be the mid-level exception of about $6 million a year for up to five years.

Artest, 28, visited the Lakers' locker room during the NBA Finals and has spoken glowingly of Kobe Bryant in the past, but he told the Mason and Ireland Show on KSPN-AM (710) that it "looks like I'm going to be a King next year" before saying he would "never" take less money to play for a championship contender.

"Not in a million years," he said. "Actually, not in 10 million years."

--Associated Press
June 2008