L.A. Lakers land Artest; Rockets go after Ariza

ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — 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.”

Rockets meeting with Ariza

HOUSTON — A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza.

The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas.

The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

David Lee, Ariza’s agent, did not immediately return a phone message left by the AP.

The 6-foot-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA championship.

Walsh can go longer than 1 year

NEW YORK — Donnie Walsh says he will consider giving more than a one-year deal to a free agent, following a report that he plans to do that with Jason Kidd.

ESPN.com, citing sources close to the process, reported Thursday that the Knicks would offer a three-year deal to the point guard. The Knicks hosted Kidd and his agent Wednesday on the first day of free agency and are hoping he’ll leave Dallas to come to New York.

The midlevel exception is $5.6 million for the first year, and Walsh said last week he wouldn’t give a multiyear deal to a free agent unless he could move another contract off his payroll. The Knicks want to be major players in free agency next summer, but still have about $18 million committed to Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries in the 2010-11 season.

Walsh backed away from that a bit Friday.

“I have a little leeway which will leave me in good position for next year,” he wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “I know what it is but do not talk much about it.”

Also, veteran forward Grant Hill will visit the Knicks on Monday, agent Lon Babby said.