The O.C. Register's Janis Carr recently yapped with Lakers Assistant General Manager Ronnie Lester about the team's ongoing talks with Lamar Odom.  Carr says Lester informed her that LO's offer has been bumped "a little north of $8 million.”  More or less what people have bandied about as the "magic number," so to speak.  Lester also expressed confidence a deal could go down next week.  Promising news, for sure.  B. Shaw will certainly be happy. 

Lester also indicated to Carr that Sun Yue, whose option needs to be picked up by August 1st, could find himself ex-Laker soon.   His case apparently isn't being helped by an absence from the Summer Pro League.  The same SPL, by the way, where Adam Morrison has recorded 22 and 24-point tallies.  Granted, these results should obviously be taken with a grain of salt, considering Ammo is lighting up competition that's hardly NBA "elite."   Many of these cats are barely NBA "ready."   But still, as Morrison is working to get his legs back under him (literally and figuratively), I'm sure the brass is pleased with the early returns.

And around the league...

• Jason Kidd is now officially still a Mavericks employee.
• The Jazz are in a pickle now that Paul Millsap signed an offer sheet with Portland and Carlos Boozer remains in Salt Lake.
• Jarret Jack could be a Canadian resident soon.
• SI's Ian Thomsen takes a look at the art of free agent negotiations.

AK
 

(Update:  My knowledge may not have been "best."  According to the Press-Enterprise's Jefferey Eisenberg, Jordan Farmar actually didn't survive Day 3.  I could have misunderstood the chip count chart or it didn't reflect the day's end when I linked it, but at any rate, the dream is over.  But quite the solid showing for the Laker point guard.)

To the best of my knowledge, still alive after Day 3. 

Although perhaps not for too much longer. 

Assuming it's up to date and I'm understanding this correctly, the World Series of Poker's website most recent update has Jordan Farmar's chip count at 75,000.  That may sound like a lot, but when chip leader Amir Levahot boasts a honkin' 580,000, it's pretty apparent Jordan's seat ain't of the cat bird variety.  Kid's gonna need to make an "all in" move at his first solid hand (a few more times), otherwise he's either gonna get bled down to the felt.

Part I aqui, for those late to the party.  And if you'd like to first hear BK and I discuss our impressions of Artest via the 710 ESPN Lakers podkast, then watch Ron and compare notes, feel free.  Or you view the talkies below, then give the podkast a whirl.  But either way, listen to the poddy, or else you'll be dealing with a nagging void in your life that's impossible to quell.

Artest has barely been an unofficial Laker, much less one with an inked contract, but that hasn't prevented him from experiencing the crush that is the Laker Nation's enthusiasm.  Artest praised the fans of every city he's represented, but immediately noticed what sets apart a purple and gold's loyalist.  "The fans are so confident. That's what I've learned. Every fan is telling me I'm going to win, saying, 'you ready for your ring?' I'm like, 'Yeah, I'm ready.' "

The only thing better for Artest than proving O'Brien predictions correct would be doing so while playing alongside longtime buddy Lamar Odom. "That's a storybook ending. I don't want to think about it too much- I'd rather just do the work and let the work speak for itself...but it would be a storybook ending."  While mentioning the pair's New York roots, Artest took us on a trip down a Big Apple NBA Memory Lane, mentioning folks like Elton Brand, Rafer Alston and... Smush Parker.  (Hey, the guy did make it all the way to the L, like it or not).

Hearing talk about money being secondary priority, increased focus and moving past the Palace Brawl, it felt to me like age has drastically affected Artest's perspective on his career.  Pretty much.  "When I came into the NBA, I was wild," admitted RA. "It took me a long time to realize how I want my life to be. How I want my career to be."  Artest views his time with the Pacers as a step backward, a stumble he's since been determined to make up for.  "I want to leave on top of my game. That's real important to me."

After the day's festivities with Ron Artest had concluded, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak answered some questions regarding LA's final free agent concern of the summer, Lamar Odom.  The negotiations haven't exactly zipped along, but as I wrote the other day, nothing about the landscape has changed to indicate Odom is on his way out.  The feeling Wednesday around the training facility in El Segundo was that the Lakers wouldn't have a) signed Artest or b) used their mid-level to do it, leaving them no viable avenue in free agency to replace Odom should he change ZIP codes, without believing a deal could be made.

That Odom and Artest are friends dating back to childhood doesn't hurt, either.

Kupchak said he didn't have a gut feeling about the end result, but as he has all along used the word "hopeful" to describe his outlook.  "I can't be any stronger," he noted, "and I'm not sure how strong a word that is. But I am hopeful.  I think we have a chance now."

Lot o' footage to render and chop up, as this was a seriously long press conference. About 35 minutes. But it's worth the effort to transfer, because this was probably the most interesting, introspective and entertaining presser of such ilk that I've ever attended.

Whether Ron Artest was consciously trying to get off on the right foot or simply operating in his typical stream of consciousness, I thought the guy acquitted himself nicely. Tough questions about his past weren't skirted. Plenty of hilarious lines.  Plus some often brutally honest self-criticism.  Every skeptic likely wasn't converted (and depending on the impetus for skepticism, rightfully), but it would be hard to fault the guy over a failure to be forthright.

"Where's TMZ," Artest asked after being introduced by Mitch Kupchak. "They're not here? That's good news." Ron Ron was beaming at joining a franchise that's always been his first choice team. Not that Artest didn't give it all for his past employers- for that matter, loyalty dictated the Houston Rockets getting first dibs at his services- but his Utopian uni has always been purple and gold. "A long time coming," as he described this union. Thus, Artest could barely contain his excitement when, with free agency one minute underway, his agent David Bauman informed him of a call from Kupchak.

"I said, 'For what?'" recalled Artest. "(Bauman) says, 'He wants to help you get a ring.' " As both Bauman and Kupchak later explained, the actual negotiations themselves were more complicated, but an agreement eventually came to fruition, which made Ron happy enough to potentially sacrifice his wardrobe. "I was in LA already... it was great because I didn't have to leave and go back to Houston. Hopefully my clothes make it to LA. If they don't, they can just stay in Houston."

Artest also discusses his familiarity with the triangle and his defensive prowess, the latter he willingly attributes in part to the presence of former teammates like Jermaine O'Neal.

UPDATE (3:00 pm PT)- Just got back from the Artest press conference.  He was, as you'd suspect, candid and entertaining.  We'll have some copy up ASAP, with video to follow as it can be processed.  BK

Those of you wondering what number Ron Artest will be wearing can stop.  Elliott Teaford of the Daily News reports a decision has been made:

A nice tribute, for sure.  In other news, Luke Walton will go from 4 to 64, honoring the highest point on the Billboard charts for the Grateful Dead's "Truckin'".

UPDATE (9:40 am): Artest on the number choice, from an interview Sunday with Sean Farnham and Jerry Ferrara on AM 570 KLAC, Fox Sports Radio:  

The Lakers have worked quickly and decisively this summer to address their fairly limited to-do list, solidifying the small forward spot (re-signing Trevor Ariza became signing Ron Artest, but either way the position, as they say, has been filled), locking up Shannon Brown for at least one more year, and filling out the back end of the roster by picking up options on DJ Mbenga and Josh Powell.  The only remaining piece is Lamar Odom.  It's a big one, too.  Judging by comments some readers have left over the last few days, the radio silence regarding LO is causing more stress than a tax audit undertaken at the dentist's office where the reciepts are missing and so is the novacaine.

As a strong advocate for Odom's value to the team, I get it.  The Lakers want Odom on that wall, they need him on that wall.  But nobody should equate Odom's status as third domino to a third place finish on the team's priority list. 

The Lakers want him back.  The speed, or lack thereof, in negotiations is just a reflection of the market. 

 Former Laker/now Rocket Trevor Ariza recently appeared on the 570 KLAC's Myers & Hartman Show  in Los Angeles.  TA was asked various questions about the ultimately failed negotiations that resulted in a Houston relocation.  Not many specifics revealed, but that's what actually made the interview noteworthy.  Here's what I found most interesting:

• How largely uninformed Ariza appeared while trying to relay what happened between the Lakers and his agent, David Lee.  His explanations were very unspecific and included a lot of sentiments like "I'm not really sure" and "whatever the situation was."  I found that pretty odd.  Perhaps Trevor wanted to tread lightly and avoid painting a negative picture of the Lakers, Lee or himself.  I also know from experience that he's much more comfortable off the record than on it.
  
  Or, as I suspect, Ariza's retelling of the story was filled with blanks because he was informed of his situation entirely through Lee, as opposed to Lee and the Lakers.  Beyond never actually being in a room with any Laker brass, Trevor gave no indication of having spoken directly with Mitch Kupchak at any point.  Thus, Lee was the one keeping him in the loop and attempting to make the exact opposite route of Trevor's first choice sound palatable and/or necessary.    
• Ariza didn't sound thrilled about leaving the Lakers.  As he acknowledged, "what kid from L.A. would want to leave L.A.?"  TA also lamented having "no control over that."
• When asked about Lee's handling of his business, Ariza expressed more loyalty than praise for a job well done.  He also acknowledged that the Lakers don't particularly like Lee,  unless I misinterpreted the following comment: "If I was to stay there, (the Lakers) would still feel the same way about him."

 So reports Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski.  Two years.  4.2 mil.  Assuming these figures are reliable, I'd label the contract a "win-win" deal for both parties.

Shannon Brown gets the chance establish himself over the next couple of seasons, then sign a longer deal at the still-very-young age of (almost) 26.  Or, should he enjoy a killer 2009-2010, exercise a player option and sign a longer deal at even younger age of (almost) 25.  The Lakers get an extended, inexpensive look at an uber-athletic guard who flashed some nice potential during his short stint in L.A.  It's a mite early to declare him the Derek Fisher's heir apparent for "starting point guard of the future"- SB is nothing if not raw- but he could emerge a valuable rotation player.  At the very least, you can chalk this up as a victory for good attitude and a willingness to learn, traits of Shannon's that were deservedly praised since his February arrival.  Not bad for the self described "throw in." 

I'll try to track down some further confirmation, but for now, it appears we have some good news in Laker Land as "Lamar Odom Watch" continues.  Well, it's good news for most people.  BK and I, on the other hand, owe the kid 75 bucks apiece.  Dude, everything is coming up "Shannon Brown" today.

(UPDATE: The Times' Broderick Turner has confirmation of the news from Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, who says SB turned down a more lucrative deal with the Pacers to remain a Laker.)

AK

I mentioned the other night when Hedo Turkoglu reneged on the Blazers that it could be bad news for LA, since Portland might take their $9 mil in cap space and turn their attention to Lamar Odom.  Well, via his Twitter page, ESPN.com's Ric Bucher says the Blazers are looking elsewhere:

Hard to get all flowery with the language when limited to 140 characters.  Obviously at this time of year information changes rapidly, but if Bucher is correct (I'm anticipating what a few of the comments below will look like) it only helps the Lakers. 

BK