Artest, then with the Pacers, went into the crowd after a beverage was thrown at him and later punched a fan. He was suspended for a total of 86 games, the longest penalty for a physical altercation in NBA history. Off the court, he received a year's probation for pleading no contest to assault charges.
The Lakers have now allocated roughly $81.5 million toward 11 players on next season's payroll, which puts them roughly $10 million into luxury-tax territory.
The Lakers were conscious of the tax heading into the off-season, so it remains to be seen who else they pursue. By getting Artest with the mid-level exception, a spending tool for teams that are over the salary cap, the Lakers have only a handful of possibilities remaining beyond a trade.
A large payday for free-agent forward Lamar Odom has all but disappeared, though he could still sign a one-year deal with the team and try free agency again next season when more teams will have money to spend. The Lakers have also maintained contact with free-agent guard Shannon Brown and have agreed to talk again today.
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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
broderick.turner@latimes.com
