Ron-Ron Gone-Gone?

In the latest advancement in Miami Heat rumors, Ron Artest's name has popped up. Sure, his name has come around for the past few years or so, but this year Pat Riley could find a deal to entice the Maloof Brothers. Why? Because the Heat now have Shawn Marion.

The Sacramento Bee first reported that the Heat would be interested in the volatile forward, and wouldn't have qualms about parting with Marion. There are the critics who say that trading Marion for Artest is like trading platinum for silver; or that Marion is supposed to be utilized in trading for a more pressing need -- such as point guard or center. I must disagree with both.

While Marion and Artest both have been heralded for their defense, there is one clear-cut winner. Marion has established himself as a great help defender. He can guard the opponent's best shooting guard or small forward, but seldom slows him down. Artest, by contrast, is a lock-down defender. Those kinds of players are hard to come by. Artest has superior physical skills and knows when to steal the ball. There is no question in my mind that every single player should be worried if Artest is guarding him. Defensively, I give the edge to Artest. And while Artest certainly doesn't have the leaping and rebounding skills, six rebounds is nothing to complain about from a small forward.

Artest, 28, has developed a refined offensive game over time. His jump-shot and three-point shooting has steadily improved to a solid 38% in 2007-08. Moreover, Artest does possess a very polished face-the-basket game. Without question, Artest could take tremendous pressure off of Dwyane Wade.

It is true that Miami does need to fill in their point guard and center situations. To be honest, I don't see Pat Riley taking Kenny Thomas or the Maloofs giving up Brad Miller. What I could see happening is bringing in a third team into the equation. Artest makes slightly more than half of the salary of the Matrix. With the NBA's trade rules, more players are going to have to be involved. The Artest-Marion swap would be exchanging expiring contracts. It is what Miami additionally gets that ultimately decides whether this trade was a win. And while Marion and Artest both are small forwards, that doesn't necessarily mean I would shy away from a trade involving the two.

With Orlando apparently losing interest in Jason Williams with their recent signing of Anthony Johnson, Pat Riley is going to have to act quick this off-season. He can't take his sweet little time on the Mo Williamses of the world so that what is left is Smush Parker.