Bye bye Rockets, Hello Lakers.

Ron Artest’s agent, David Bauman, said that Artest will be playing the next season of NBA championships with L.A. Lakers. Bauman told the Associated Press that they are still working out the details of the contract.

Artest himself, a forward of Houston Rockets, confirmed the news Thursday, July 2, that he and the Lakers already came to a verbal agreement of signing a contract for five years. Artest disclosed this information in an interview with CBSSports.com. and in a text message to ESPN.com. Artest said:

“I am happy to say I am goin’ to L.A.,”

Ron met with Dr. Jerry Buss, Lakers’ owner, and has already spoken with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Artest agreed to a five-year deal for the full mid-level exception with Lakers for about about $33 million, with an opt-out after the fourth year.

“I talked to Coach Phil, and I was happy to talk to him,” Artest said. “Big fan of Coach Phil. My agent talked to Kupchak, and I met with Dr. Buss. I’m very, very excited.”

In 2004, Ron Artest won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. We can’t deny that he is also an effective scorer. He only played for Houston for a season and had the average 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

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3. LA Lakers Beats the Boston Celtics 102-89 at the NBA Finals Game 1