Artest going to Lakers

HOUSTON (AP) - Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los

Angeles Lakers.

David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the

Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA

champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still

being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.

ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal

worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying

the deal was still being negotiated.

"We're not quite there yet," Bauman said. "We're still

working on it."

The 6-foot-7 forward earned $7.4 million in his only season with

Houston, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The

2004 Defensive Player of the Year was also a rugged 1-on-1

defender, often assigned to guard the opponent's most dynamic

scorer.

Bauman said Artest was looking for a championship-caliber team

when he became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, and the

Lakers were one of his top choices.

"He wants to win a ring," Bauman said. "He's a winner and a

hard worker and he went looking for a team with whom he could find

some justification for what he does. He plays his best when he's in

that kind of an environment."

Artest could not immediately be reached for comment.

He told CBSSports.com that he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry

Buss and coach Phil Jackson. In a text message to ESPN.com on

Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to

L.A."

Earlier Thursday, Bauman said Artest was being courted by

several teams that made the playoffs last season and received text

messages from unspecified "superstars" who were trying to lure

him to their cities. Bauman would not say if Bryant was one of

those players, but acknowledged on Thursday night that their

friendship was a factor in Artest's decision.

"The whole situation was extremely appealing to Ron," Bauman

said.

The two had a feisty individual battle in the second round of

the playoffs, as the undermanned Rockets pushed Bryant and the

Lakers to seven games. Artest and Bryant often mouthed off at one

another, and Artest was ejected from one game for confronting a

referee and claiming that Bryant elbowed him in the neck.

Artest's decision is another tough blow to the Rockets, who

acquired Artest in a trade with Sacramento last summer. The Rockets

envisioned Artest as the final piece to a "Big Three" with Yao

Ming and Tracy McGrady, but those two All-Stars are now dealing

with long-term injuries.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not immediately return a

phone message on Thursday night.

He already seemed resigned to losing Artest, flying to Las Vegas

earlier in the day to meet with Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The

6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the

Lakers last season and would fit into Artest's role in Houston's

starting lineup.

Houston already knows it will be missing McGrady for the bulk of

next season as he recovers from microfracture surgery on his left

knee.

The Rockets are also awaiting a definitive prognosis on Yao, who

sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in the playoffs.

Morey made an aggressive pitch to free agent center Marcin Gortat

shortly after the free agency period began on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Artest and his unpredictable nature

will be an intriguing addition to the Lakers.

Artest was on his best behavior in Houston last season, but

he'll always be remembered as the central figure in the 2004 brawl

with Detroit fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills when he played for

the Indiana Pacers. Artest was suspended for 73 games, the NBA's

harshest punishment for a fight.

Early in the 2005-06 season, Artest demanded a trade from

Indiana, angering his teammates. He was dealt to Sacramento in

January 2006 and meshed well with coach Rick Adelman, who now

coaches the Rockets.

Two years later, Artest left the Kings in a bitter dispute with

the team's ownership.

 By CHRIS DUNCAN-AP Sports Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)