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As had become apparent over the past few days, the Lakers were not interested in paying hyphy superstar Ronny Turiaf $17 million over four years. Thus, the Frenchman has relocated to the Bay Area and will suit up as a key cog in Don Nelson's big-man rotation for Golden State. Andris Biedrins expects to remain the starting center in Oakland (if he ever re-signs) and Al Harrington should be the default power forward (if he doesn't get traded). But Turiaf certainly isn't light years behind either on total basketball offerings -- it wouldn't surprise me to see any of them starting 50+ games and Golden State still have a decent season.

Meanwhile, we haven't really addressed what the Turiaf exit does to the Lakers. It was believed by several pundits/reporters that the Turiaf exit would create the necessary cushion in payroll to allow the addition of an albatross contract in trading for Ron Artest. While missing Turiaf's $4 million makes Kenny Thomas' $8 million functionally easier to swallow, it sure doesn't make the poison pill any more palatable.

And as Scott Howard-Cooper notes, losing Turiaf leaves L.A. a bit understaffed in the frontcourt. Behind Andrew Bynum (who happens to be coming off a serious-enough injury), there's Chris Mihm (who happens to be coming off a string of serious-enough injuries). Beyond those two, there's Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, the prospective trade bait for Artest (or any other stud small forward L.A. seeks). If Bynum's not ready, and Odom's gone -- that's a weak frontcourt (even with the addition of Thomas or Mikki Moore). Turiaf averaged almost 19 minutes a game. Who picks those up?

As it is, Odom can expect to play plenty of backup power forward to go along with his possible starting role at the three. A three-man big rotation excluding Mihm seems most likely, unless Mitch Kupchak can find a suitable sub this summer.

Several important developments for the United Mercurial Forwards, Local #77 this morning. First, in his already-discussed story on an episodic MALOOF SMASH!, Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee tossed out a mention that Miami is believed to be interested in Ron Artest and willing to part with Shawn Marion to make it happen.

Shoals of The Sporting Blog relays Dwyane Wade's forlorn heartache over old pal Lamar Odom, though Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel holds back from suggesting any sort of franchise interest in a reunion.

Meanwhile, a prospective Odom-Artest swap remains plausible as it ever was.

Can't we work out an agreement which suits everyone here? Artest and Kenny Thomas (or Mikki Moore, see if I care) to Los Angeles, L.O. to Miami, Marion to Sacramento. Or flip it: Artest and KT (or Moore; I still don't care!) to Miami, Marion to L.A., Odom to Sacramento. The Kings will assume any expiring contract who can rebound, I'd guess. L.A. needs a defender in short-term; Artest and Marion both fits the qualifications. Miami should prefer Odom but the syntax of adding Artest would be much cleaner.

I don't know, can't we draw straws to get something done here?

There's been chatter about a potential Ron Artest trade to the Lakers for roughly 18 months now; L.A.'s ejection from the Finals thanks in part to Lamar Odom's uneven performance has intensified the talk among fans and reporters. Earlier this week, Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reported the Lakers called Kings president Geoff Petrie about Artest during the NBA's moratorium. (Petrie wanted to wait until Beno Udrih had officially signed his contract before discussing trades. Also, he wanted to see Stevie Wonder in concert.)

Yesterday on an ESPN Radio show in Los Angeles, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof confirmed the Lakers have called about Artest, and he certainly didn't shy away from speculation Odom was the player on the table according to this fan's transcript. While the Maloofs will (apparently) leave the details to Petrie, you sense there's interest from Sacramento in making something work here. Obviously, the Lakers are interested ... though the $6-8 million player they'd have to take back with Artest is a likely sticking point.

The Lakers would prefer Mikki Moore, an athletic, spirited big man who shoots infrequently but efficiently and is guaranteed only $2 million in 2009-10, if you cut him before opening day. The Kings would much rather give up Kenny Thomas, a dead-weight growler who used to be effective, but now just takes up cap space. Thomas is owed something like $8.5 million in 2009-10, and L.A.'s over the luxury tax limit (unless they don't extend Kobe next summer, hahahaLOLOL).

Judging by Petrie's refusal to give up Artest for little-to-nothing at the deadline, he won't relent if Moore's not the player he wants to lose. It all comes down to how desperate the Lakers are, and how much they believe Artest can help them next spring. (One plugged-in fan doesn't think it is an upgrade.) Based on L.A.'s early overtures, it seems the team isn't waiting to see how things work out with a healthy Andrew Bynum before making a move.

Better you've never heard this one: Cleveland wants Mike Bibby. Since last December, the Cavaliers have been rumored to be after the point guard on their dreams. A deal almost got done on Trade Deadline Eve last year, and another one fell apart just as San Antonio dealt Luis Scola to Houston over the summer. The hold-ups have been varying -- Sacramento's reportedly looking for cap relief, which could either come in the form of either expiring contracts or the assumption of the Kings' own ornery deals. Cleveland's stipulation over the summer was the added acquisition of a scoring power forward (hence Scola) and now Danny Ferry would like to shed some payroll of his own.

Despite the obvious problems, media reports insisted with renewed vigor the deal will get revisited in the next month. Brian Windhorst of the Akron Beacon Journal reports the sides tried to get something going as recently as November, a deal involving a sign-and-trade for Anderson Varejao. Windhorst adds that signs indicate Ferry is making another attempt.

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News thinks it'd be a coup for Ferry to get Bibby. (The Zenmaster says, "We'll see.") It'll be interesting to see whether Geoff Petrie bites on a package of deals expiring in 2009 while shedding at least one longer-term deal. (Kenny Thomas expires in 2010.) You wouldn't think one season of $8 million of cap salvation would be worth it (especially considering Bibby's deal expires in 2009 as well), but after watching John Salmons impersonate Dwyane Wade for two months, I've learned (again) not to question Petrie's procedures.

By the way, Bibby is planning a January 16 return date as his thumb heals.