The Truth

Ah, now we know what really held up the (now completed) Artest to Sacramento deal. Artest's new agent. From ESPN (emphasis mine):

One source involved in the inner workings of the deal suggested that agent Mark Stevens was the person most opposed to the trade because it would preclude Artest from earning any of the endorsement money from companies embracing street cred that might have been available to him in a larger market.

The absurd notion of Artest somehow being a marketable commodity at this point in his career helps show the degree of delusion under which Artest's advisers sometimes operate, but Artest long ago replaced a much more established agent, Mark Bartelstein, with the less-experienced Stevens. Bartelstein continues to collect a percentage of Artest's salary, while Stevens won't be in position to earn a similar commission until Artest decides whether to opt out of his contract following the 2007-08 season.

Straight from the Rosenhaus School of Client Representation. Who cares what's good for the player, how much money does it bring me? It's worth noting that the only significant endorsement Artest has garnered to this point in his career was with And1, which also sponsored Latrell Spreewell after he almost choked his old coach PJ Carlisemo. When Artest played in the All Star game a few years ago, he wore a different pair (and different brand) of shoes in each quarter in an effort to expose himself to potential advertisers. That obviously didn't work out very well.

Moving offices today (To an office. With a window!). More tomorrow.