Artest is Next

After trading for one potential headache in Zach Randolph, it only makes sense that Isiah look to add another one. Here's the deal, adding Ron Artest actually makes sense... a ton of sense.

Stay with me on this one.

Yes, Artest may have instigated what has been the ugliest brawl in NBA history.

Yes, Artest doesn't seem to really give a shit about basketball.

Yes, Ronnie probably spends way too much time on his music career.

Yes, bringing Artest back home to NY might be a disaster.

Yes, Ronnie complained that he wasn't getting enough mug shots... I mean shots in Sacramento and he would be coming to a team which has several players that need the ball to be effective.

But, here's the thing, Ron fills several holes on this roster. He locks up the SF position, improves our perimeter defense (an area we really need help in), and gives the team offense at a position where we have no guys that can shoot the ball.

He is also available at a discount. There is a chance the Knicks could get him without giving up Lee (for the record, trading Lee for Artest would be terrible). A deal of Malik Rose and Nate Robinson would be ideal, but the Kings would most likely want someone like Balkman in there for Nate. As much as I like Renaldo Balkman, I'd trade him for Artest in a second. If Sacramento still needs another piece, Isiah can add young big man Randolph Morris to the offer. That is something the Kings would have to strongly consider.

From a Knicks standpoint, instead of praying that Quentin Richardson stays healthy, we could depend on Ron Artest and the stability that he brings to an NBA franchise......

Ok, cut that last part out.

It is a risk. I'll admit that. It could either make Isiah Thomas look like a genius (very hard to do) or get him fired (I wouldn't complain)....wait a minute, this sounds like a win-win situation!

With the Randolph trade, the Knicks are in a position where they have to be in the playoffs next season. Missing the playoffs next season would be truly devastating. Not only would it kill the trade value of our players (consequently preventing us from trading for a superstar), but it would truly show that we would have to rip this team apart again, which would be very difficult to do with the contracts on this roster.

The scary part is that even after adding Zach, the Knicks are by no means a lock for the playoffs. In fact, there is a very realistic possibility that the Knicks don't make the playoffs again.

Look at the teams in the East that made the playoffs last season:

1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Toronto
4. Miami
5. Chicago
6. New Jersey
7. Washington
8. Orlando

I'm not trying to be pessimistic or anything, but there is a very realistic shot the Knicks don't make the playoffs next season in the improving Eastern Conference. Orlando just got better with Rashard Lewis and there is talk that they might go after Artest next (which would make them even better).

Washington will be strong next season unless they get killed with injuries.

The Nets still have Carter, Jefferson, and Kidd with a small chance of trading for Jermaine O'Neal.

If that isn't enough, Boston will be a lot better next season with Ray Allen and a healthy roster. Like the Knicks, they will also be fighting for a playoff spot.

Therefore, I say go out and get the crazy man. If it doesn't work out, he has a short and very reasonable contract. At the very least, Knicks fans would get some quality entertainment.

And would could be better than that...well, except for winning of course.