Ron Artest to LA Lakers: LA Looking for Another Championship?

Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that Artest said in a text message to ESPN that, "I am happy to say I'm goin' to L.A."

Artest reportedly met with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and head coach Phil Jackson and talked to them both about his coming to LA to team up with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom.

This move will have implications on the current Lakers roster, as Trevor Ariza, already rumored to be leaving la la land, will definitely be on the move now.

Ariza is currently being looked at by the Cavs, who also coveted Artest, and with him gone now, will likely make a big push for Ariza.

This move is huge for LA and the Laker faithful, as if they weren't the favorite to win a back-to-back championship, they truly are now.

The Lakers are adding another Kobe-esque player, as Artest can score well and also plays Kobe's style of hard-nosed defense. Along with Gasol, Odom, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum and others, the Lakers will likely be the dominant team in the West again, as they look to repeat as champs of the NBA.

This move spells trouble for any contending West team, as now Denver, Portland, New Orleans and others must make a move to keep up with the improved Lakers and Spurs.

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