Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: 10 Small Forwards To Take Ron Artest's Place

The Lakers front office has come out and said that the the World Champs may have to make a trade to shake things up a little bit and see if it will give the team that little extra spark that will allow the Lakers to get back to championship form.

Let's face it, the Lakers are primed to be eliminated rather quickly in the second round right now. No way they beat Dallas (their current match-up if the playoffs started today) even with home court advantage. Dirk would love to get his hands on the Lakers right now.

Phil has said this, Magic has said this and Dr. Buss has even made mention of this.

One man who has been seemingly unhappy all year and has now actually requested to be traded is Ron Artest.

Ron Artest said he would love to get out and go play somewhere that he can have fun playing again.

Sadly, Ron doesn't seem to have a contract that is really trade friendly. Frankly, it'd take a Chris Wallace out there to give the Lakers another gift to really move Ron Artest.

So I'm going to do ten trades that would get Ron Artest out of Los Angeles and a new, shiny small forward that would start in his place.

Because of Ron's contract and the players coming back I know these trades are going to be just about impossible to pull off and only a David Kahn and Chris Wallace being GM for the following teams would allow this to happen.

10. Andrei Kirilenko

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DENVER - MARCH 29: Andre Miller #24 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass under pressure by Andrei Kirilenko #47 and Carlos Boozer #5 of the Utah Jazz on March 29, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Jazz won 115-104. NOTE TO USER: USER expre

The Utah Jazz send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Andrei Kirilenko

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Utah Jazz:
SF Ron Artest
SF Luke Walton
PG Shannon Brown
C Theo Ratliff

Andrei Kirilenko could use a change of scenery and I think coming to Los Angeles would be a great place for him to be. He doesn't have to be that big of a contributor and he can focus on doing the dirty things that he is so great at doing.

He's a great on the ball defender, very good passer, can knock down a three or two and was once an All Star. That All Star appearance wasn't a fluke either. He was one of the better players in the game just a few short years ago, but injuries have slowed him a bit.

Still he's a better option at this point in time over Artest.

Andrei Kirilenko is also a big expiring contract and would free up roughly $17M for the Lakers to go after a big time free agent or multiple free agents. 

9. Trevor Ariza

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 29: Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Trevor Ariza #1 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Lakers defeated the Hornets 103-88. NOT

New Orleans Hornets send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Trevor Ariza

Los Angeles Lakers send the New Orleans Hornets:
SF Ron Artest 

I think this could be a definitely big swap for both teams. I think Chris Paul could get the most out of Ron Artest in New Orleans and it puts Artest in an extremely low pressure situation in New Orleans because no one cares about the team there.

The contracts are nearly identical, so it's not like this trade can't happen.

Ariza hasn't been fully accepted in New Orleans and talking with Kevin Spain of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Hornets would definitely be interested in moving Ariza for the right piece.

Not sure that Artest is the right piece to do that.

For the Lakers though, they get a guy who makes great plays, knows the offense, knows the defense, doesn't need the ball to be effective and was huge in their winning the championship in 2009.

Ariza wouldn't need much time to get re-acclimated in Los Angeles, would probably be the most seamless trade that the Lakers could do.

8. Danny Granger

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 19: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 19, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or us

Indiana Pacers send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Danny Granger

Los Angeles Lakers send the Indiana Pacers:
SF Ron Artest
SF Luke Walton

The Pacers are on the verge of rebuilding and haven't made the playoffs since 2006. They have constantly said that Danny Granger isn't available until recently and said they'd listen to some big offers for him.

Ron Artest isn't the answer for them Indiana and by trading for him the Indiana Pacers would be playing in another city next season. There would be a massive revolt in the city of Indianapolis.

Granger in Los Angeles would be huge though. He is an upper middle class version of Kevin Durant. He can score, plays pretty good defense, will get you a few boards a game. Granger would be a legitimate third scoring threat and a prime guy who could take the scoring load off Kobe on an off night.

Granger would be a pretty good fit into the Lakers system and could be the face of the franchise in a few years.

7. Tayshaun Prince

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 24: Tayshaun Prince #22 of the Detroit Pistons attempts a shot over Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic during the game at Amway Arena on January 24, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

The Detroit Pistons send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Tayshaun Prince

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Detroit Pistons:
SF Ron Artest
SF Luke Walton 

This trade makes a lot of sense for the Lakers. They have a guy who has played on championship team, prides himself with his defense and can score when needed. Also his contract is extremely trade friendly. The Lakers could either sign him in the off season or just simply let him walk and save themselves over $11M in cap space that could go toward someone like Kobe's good friend, Carmelo Anthony.

The Pistons only reason to do this trade is to get a couple of bodies that are going to be around for a couple years and can help develop some of the younger guys like Austin Daye who is the heir apparent to the small forward spot in Detroit once Prince is gone.

Artest wouldn't actually be a bad player coming off the bench for the Pistons.

6. Shane Battier

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Shane Battier #31 of the Houston Rockets battle for a rebound in the first half at Staples Center on February 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 1

The Houston Rockets send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Shane Battier

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Houston Rockets:
SF Ron Artest

For those with short memories Ron Artest actually played against the Lakers a couple years ago in the playoffs as a member of the Houston Rockets and took the Lakers to seven games in the conference semi finals.

A key contributor to that Rockets team was Shane Battier. He did a great job guarding Kobe and hit some very, very key shots in some big games for the Rockets.

Battier is starting is getting a little long in the tooth and this could be his last real productive year. Which is perfect for the Lakers because he's on the last year of his deal and could easily be replaced the following season. 

5. Jared Dudley and Grant Hill

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PHOENIX - MAY 29: Jared Dudley #3 and Grant Hill #33 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate after a play against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at US Airways Center on May 29,

The Phoenix Suns send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Jared Dudley
SF Grant Hill

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Phoenix Suns:
SF Ron Artest

The Suns would never do this deal. They wouldn't even think about it with out getting a lot more for Ron Artest, but the contracts for this deal work out.

The Lakers would get a great veteran in Grant Hill who could either start or contribute off the bench and the same thing could be said for Jared Dudley.

Hill is the better defender, but Dudley is the better shooter and could help spread the floor. I think going for an interchangeable part that helps them have contributions from the starter and the guy coming off the bench going forward.

Hill has an expiring deal and Jared Dudley has a very friendly deal going forward. For the Lakers you can't really lose with this trade.

4. Rudy Gay

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NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 03: O.J. Mayo #32 and Marc Gasol #33 hold back Rudy Gay #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies after drawing a technical foul for arguing with a referee during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on March 3, 2010 i

The Memphis Grizzlies send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Rudy Gay
PG Greivis Vasquez
C Marc Gasol

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Memphis Grizzlies:
SF Ron Artest
SF Matt Barnes
PG Steve Blake
PF Theo Ratliff
PG Shannon Brown

The Lakers would have to hit the waiver wire or find a third team to make this trade work out. The Lakers give up a lot, but according to ESPN's trade machine, this picks up the Lakers a couple more wins and would knock the Grizzlies out of the playoff chase.

Gay gives the Lakers a starter at SF for the foreseeable future, Gasol gives them a center who is never hurt and Greivis gives them twelfth man swagger.

This trade probably would not help the Lakers win the title this year, but they would be very competitive all the way through the playoffs, but the lack of bench depth this trade caused would hurt them late.

But looking at the core this trade creates for the Lakers going forward would be nothing short of amazing. Just a couple of bench players and I could coach this team to three straight championships. 

3. Jeff Green

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 27: Jeff Green #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder posts up Ron Artest #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 27, 2010 in Los Angeles

The Oklahoma City Thunder send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Jeff Green
SG Daequan Cook

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Oklahoma City Thunder:
SF Ron Artest

Jeff Green wasn't offered an extension in the off season and has listened to offers for him throughout the year, but GM Sam Presti wants the moon for Green and he's not going to get it.

Green is a consummate team guy, does all the dirty work, guards guys that seem like they are twice his size, plays pretty good defense and tends to hit big jumpers from time to time.

The Lakers need a team guy that won't rock the boat, shows up to the gym every day and gives 100% and then some. Jeff Green is this guy. He'll give lots of minutes, some scoring, rebounding and can guard three or four positions on the floor.

Green would also be able to return back to his natural position at SF by making this trade.

2. Andre Iguoadala

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 21: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers tries to move against Loul Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 121-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressl

The Philadelphia 76ers send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Andre Iguodala

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Philadelphia 76ers:
SF Ron Artest
SF Matt Barnes
SG Shannon Brown

Andre Iguodala should never be a first scoring option on any team and because the rest of his team seems to be allergic to putting a ball in the basket he has been the man who has had to carry the scoring load in Philly.

In Los Angeles he'd be the third or fourth option depending who was on the court, but he is three steps faster than Artest, is just as physical as and can also score better.

The Lakers would get a guy who could quietly contribute right away, play strong defense, keep opposing defense honest, opens the floor for Kobe and also have a younger player who is going to attack the basket constantly.

The Lakers are missing all of that right now with Artest out there. 

1. Carmelo Anthony

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 11: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives past Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center on November 11, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 118-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

The Denver Nuggets send the Los Angeles Lakers:
SF Carmelo Anthony
SG Aaron Afflalo

The Los Angeles Lakers send the Denver Nuggets:
SF Ron Artest
C Andrew Bynum
PG Shannon Brown

We all know that Carmelo wants to be in New York City and play on the New York Knicks. He's from there, his wife is from there and wants to do reality television.

Why not come to the leagues second most storied franchise, instead of the third and have a chance to actually win championships every year?

Carmelo would automatically become the Lakers second scoring option and would take a lot of pressure of Pau Gasol. Kobe and Melo are friends, they have worked out together in the past and I think being under Kobe for the rest of the year and getting his worth ethic up would make Carmelo the second best small forward in the game and a perennial MVP candidate. 

Carmelo is younger and light years ahead of Artest every where on the court. Carmelo is an underrated defender, loves to slash, above average at the free throw line and so-so from beyond the arc.

If the Lakers want to win the championship this season, they get Carmelo on this team today.