Lakers forward Ron Artest will be in the United Kingdom from Aug. 18 to 23 to speak with officials with the British Basketball League's Cheshire Jets about possibly playing overseas with them during the NBA lockout, Artest's publicist, Courtney Barnes, said Tuesday evening.

The Times previously reported that Artest would play with the Jets, although it wasn't clear when he would first put on the uniform, according to a person who was familiar with the negotiations but wasn't authorized to speak about it publicly. That person has since said they misunderstood the question and that the deal has not been finalized.

On Tuesday afternoon, Artest suggested his plans to play with the Jets on Twitter. He posted a picture of a Jets center Matt Schneck holding a jersey that referenced his proposed name change to Metta World Peace. He also tweeted the following message: "Go Jets!!!!! Uk , here we come!!! Jets are the best!!! Jets are the best!!! New chant!!!!!!!!!"

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--Mark Medina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com

Photo: Lakers forward Ron Artest might play for the Cheshire Jets of the British Basketball League. Credit: Ron Artest via Twitter.