Amick acknowledges in his blog that he has been told that the Lakers have not offered Odom - which echoes what has been written in this column. Amick does repeat that Odom is available - and while to a certain extent that's true - LA is in no rush to trade him.

For one, until Andrew Bynum has proven that he's 100% healthy, the Lakers don't like the idea of giving up their primary backup power forward. Last season Pau Gasol held down the center position the best he could (before being exposed as truly a four in the NBA Finals). Odom is unproven as a three alongside Bynum and Gasol - and while he doesn't necessarily have a strong jump shot, the Lakers would like to see how well such a long front court tandem plays together before giving up on it prematurely.

While Odom's scoring can be inconsistent, it can be difficult to find a player who is still able to contribute without the ball.

One source unaffiliated with the Lakers directly notes, "Odom is a relatively happy facilitator but with Bynum returning, anybody coming in becomes the fourth option. Will Artest embrace that role? Odom will - and [additionally] will help facilitate the offense with the second team. Odom is really an incredible player . . . undervalued by the fans."

While Phil Jackson is intrigued (according to sources close to the Laker coach) at the thought of what Artest could add defensively to the team, both he and the Laker decision makers hold Odom in high regard.

Equally, they're not married to him and in an overwhelming deal would consider a move. The same sources say trading Odom for Artest (let alone bringing in the unfavorable Kenny Thomas contract) is simply not going to happen.

As Amick suggests, the Lakers might need to "engage a third team in the deal." While multi-team trades are extremely rare, the Lakers would need to get a lot more than the unpredictable Artest if they're to give up Odom.

One player who the Lakers sought out when the Chicago Bulls had called for Kobe Bryant last summer was point guard Kirk Hinrich (LA also wanted Luol Deng and a number of other considerations). Hinrich has been linked by a number of sources this summer to the Lakers - but again LA isn't willing to part with Odom without getting significant value in return.

Chicago has been interested in Odom for a number of years. In the Eastern Conference, Odom would be one of the better power forwards. The Bulls apparently would love to add an unselfish post player who can rebound and pass like Odom.

If the Bulls and Lakers could come up with enough young prospects to appease the Kings - more than perhaps Linas Kleiza or Brandon Bass - maybe a three-team deal could come together.

Obviously it's a long shot but the Lakers might consider giving up Jordan Farmar and Chris Mihm with Odom if they could land both Ron Artest and Kirk Hinrich. If Chicago were willing to give up perhaps Tyrus Thomas to the Kings, would Sacramento be willing to make a deal if they also get Farmar and Mihm?

The Lakers could still spare a small forward but only Trevor Ariza has a short contract. Luke Walton (coming off ankle surgery) and Vladimir Radmanovic are less appealing with their long term deals.

It sounds a little too fantastic to be true, especially for the Lakers. Then again, General Manager Mitch Kupchak raised the bar with his last trade (Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown and pieces).

From the Kings perspective, they're not going to be competing for at title for at least a couple of years or so. Sending Artest to the Lakers could be considered an act of sabotage. With Hinrich's long term deal (albeit decreasing each year) and an extension/new contract for Artest (not to mention a hefty one for Bynum) - the Lakers could find themselves with one of the most expensive payrolls in the league.

The Bulls haven't given up on Thomas but word is they're open to the possibility of moving him for a more seasoned player in the post. Hinrich is expendable simply because of his cost with the arrival of top pick Derrick Rose.

It's arguably feasible but it's hard enough to get a simple deal done - let alone a monster transaction between three teams with two in the same division.

Then again, if the Bulls were willing to give up both Hinrich and Thomas - maybe the Lakers should forget about Artest. How difficult would it be to work a long term extension with him anyway? Don't the Lakers, even without Odom theoretically, have enough small forwards? Arguably, Kobe Bryant is a more effective scorer at the three than in the backcourt.

It appears the Kings will seriously look to move Artest before training camp. At this point the list of suitors is short. In addition to the Mavericks and Lakers, the Miami HEAT were reported to have interest although an NBA source downplays the notion that Miami moves Shawn Marion. They too have no interest in Kenny Thomas and value the opportunity to have cap space next summer.

Knowing Artest and his tendency to speak his mind (and crave attention), the Artest saga could dominate the Rumor Mill for the coming weeks and months.

SacBee: As far as the continuing frontrunners in the Artest sweepstakes, I’ve been told by a source close to the Lakers that there are no ongoing discussions. The next relevant date remains Friday, when the Lakers’ deadline to match Ronny Turiaf’s offer sheet passes. It’s at that point the Lakers may decide to take on Kenny Thomas to fill Turiaf’s old role or quite possibly engage a third team in the deal so as to avoid his contract. As for whether the Lakers have offered Lamar Odom, that hasn’t officially happened but I’m told he is absolutely available.

Ron Artest doesn't want to play for Nuggets

Ron-Ron is down-down on the Nuggets.

The Nuggets tried to deal for Sacramento forward Ron Artest before last February's trading deadline, and he never seemed bothered by the prospect of playing for them.

But not now.

With trade rumors swirling around Artest, I sent him an e-mail Sunday asking if would have interest in being dealt to the Nuggets. He wasted no time in giving a definitive no.

"I cannot play in Denver because they question my drive to finish my career off strong and not embarrass my family,'' Artest wrote Sunday night. "Any player wants to win a championship is low risk.''

So what's that all about? I can't remember anybody on the Nuggets criticizing Artest.

So Artest was sent another e-mail on Monday asking who on the Nuggets might have spoken ill of him. The e-mail also asked if his thinking means he won't consider Denver when he becomes a free agent next summer.
Artest's answer wasn't specific. But he's definitely down on playing for the Nuggets.

"That's not even an option to be a Nugget,'' he wrote. "They let me know how they felt about me already.''

But there are things Artest likes about the Nuggets.

"I live (sic) watching them play,'' he wrote. "Very exciting. And (Linas) Kleiza and J.R. (Smith) are very impressive when I watch them.''
The Nuggets could have traded Kleiza and Eduardo Najera last February to the Kings for Artest, but Denver was reluctant to give up a top young prospect in Kleiza for a player who could opt out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. As it turned out, Artest did not opt out.
In April, before the Kings played the Nuggets for the first time since the trade fell through, Artest was asked via e-mail about the possible deal.
"Carmelo made my son and daughter happy when we found out that he wanted me on his team,'' Artest wrote about star Carmelo Anthony having wanted the Nuggets to trade for Artest. "He is my son's favorite player. It made me feel blessed that he wanted me on his team and I immediately thanked God for that. (If) God put me in Denver, it's no question they would have been a better team.''

Artest isn't pushing for any move to Denver now.

This is the potential compromise. Kenny Thomas out, Shelden Williams and Quincy Douby in. No difference to the Kings in lineup impact, big difference to the Lakers in money.

It’s still Ron Artest for Lamar Odom at the bottom line, except the salary-cap ballast has changed and the Lakers, in this version that will undoubtedly be discussed between the teams, if it hasn’t been already, get away from Thomas and his $17.3375 million due the next two seasons. For a team paying the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, as L.A. is, that’s actually a $34.675-million hit for Thomas. You can see the hesitation.

Williams is on the books for $3.4 million in 2008-09 and Douby for $1.43, along with Artest’s $7.4 to match up under the cap rules to Odom’s $14.15 million. Nearly 5 mil combined for a power forward that never plays and a guard that never plays is a bad thing. But Williams and Douby have guaranteed money next season only while Thomas is down for two more and, specifically, $8.775 million in the second one. That’s the key.

Taking Artest, Williams and Douby, the Lakers are bringing on $12.23 million ($24.46 including the luxury tax) for 2008-09 and nothing after. Total commitment: $24.46 million.

Taking Artest and Thomas, the Lakers are bringing on $16 million ($32 mil) for 2008-09 and $8.775 ($17.55 mil). Total commitment: $49.55.

Obviously a massive difference.

What about this 3 WAY TRADE: Lamar Odom to Sacramento for Ron Artest and Kenny Thomas. Then trade Kenny Thomas to Phoenix for Boris Diaw.