The Cavaliers have a lot of options in free agency, but one of their first calls was somewhat surprising.

According to several league sources, the Cavs have been been in contact with Houston Rockets free agent forward Ron Artest. It even included a face-to-face pitch from LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, as both were in Southern California for various events.

Artest, who is an unrestricted free agent after his contract that paid him $7.4 million with the Rockets expired, is being courted by several teams. Artest is believed to prefer to play for a championship contender and in addition to the Rockets the Cavs may be getting some competition from the Boston Celtics for his services.

With the Rockets facing the uncertain injury status of stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, it is unclear how hard they will try to push to re-sign Artest. They are pursuing Orlando Magic free agent center Marcin Gortat.

The Rockets have had interest in Cavs free agent Anderson Varejao in the past, which opens up some possibilities of a sign-and-trade scenario - though the Cavs have said they want to re-sign Varejao.

Artest played for coach Mike Brown when Brown was the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 2003-05. He is the type of forward the Cavs would be interested in. He has the ability to stretch the floor because he has range to out to the 3-point line. He is an excellent defensive player and a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year who can guard a wide variety of defenders, which would fit nicely with James, who can do the same.

What isn't clear is how Artest would fit with the Cavs. He does not have a background that fits the type of players the Cavs usually attempt to acquire. In addition to his role in the infamous brawl in Detroit five years ago, has been suspended for pleading no contest to a domestic violence charge two years ago. In all, he's been suspended nearly a dozen times by the NBA.

However, he has been a good citizen for the last two years and helped carry the Rockets into the second round of the playoff last season.

He averaged 15.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Rockets in 2008-09.

 

www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/07...

wow.

Danny Ferry is trying to make sure Prince James stay wit da Cavs if they do pull this move off da Cavs should be a lock in the east for the NBA Finals next year where they will fall to the Lakers.

They cant afford Ron Artest, but if they somehow get him I read somewhere else that LeBron is willing to play PF.

C- Shaq

PF- LeBron James

SF- Ron Artest

SG- Delonte West

PG- Mo Williams

Jul 1, 2009 -- 7:10PM, Jamaica wrote:

They cant afford Ron Artest, but if they somehow get him I read somewhere else that LeBron is willing to play PF.

 

C- Shaq

PF- LeBron James

SF- Ron Artest

SG- Delonte West

PG- Mo Williams

That line-up won't work. Delonte would be coming off the bench. If, I'm Mike Brown (and they get Artest), I'm not letting Bron bang down there ALL game. He strong, but not THAT strong to sustain that all season. He's better off the wing up-top, rather then posting up down low.

Think, he'd have to guard people like KG, Elton Brand, LaMarcus, David West, Boozer, Duncan...in the PAINT...nightly. Bron would get destroyed after 20-25 games.

Jul 1, 2009 -- 7:10PM, Jamaica wrote:

They cant afford Ron Artest, but if they somehow get him I read somewhere else that LeBron is willing to play PF.

 

C- Shaq

PF- LeBron James

SF- Ron Artest

SG- Delonte West

PG- Mo Williams

That lineup will not work. Lebron's good but PF will be too much for him.