Will the Kings move Ron Artest before the trade deadline? That was a huge topic of discussion among GMs on Wednesday. The Spurs pulled out of the hunt when they traded for Kurt Thomas. The Nuggets are still in with an offer of Eduardo Najera and a first-round pick, but up to now they have refused to include Linas Kleiza in the deal.

The dark horse in the Artest discussions may be the Suns. According to two league sources, the Suns have some interest. The team feels like they need to replace Shawn Marion's perimeter defense, and Artest would fit the bill. His ability to guard four positions makes him coveted, despite the concerns about his personality.

The Suns have a trade exception, which they acquired in the trade of Kurt Thomas to Seattle, that would allow Phoenix to acquire Artest without including other players in the deal. To make it happen, the Suns would likely have to include the first-round pick they acquired from Atlanta.

That's a high price to pay for Artest, for several reasons.

One, he has an early-termination option at the end of this season, which allows him to become an unrestricted free agent. The Suns could lose him for nothing this summer.

Two, adding Artest to the payroll would be expensive. The Suns are already on course to pay the luxury tax -- so they'd have to pay a dollar for dollar penalty on Artest.

Three, he's extremely unpredictable. The Suns' chemistry is already a question mark with the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal. How would they work Artest into the picture?

Will the Kings move Ron Artest before the trade deadline? That was a huge topic of discussion among GMs on Wednesday. The Spurs pulled out of the hunt when they traded for Kurt Thomas. The Nuggets are still in with an offer of Eduardo Najera and a first-round pick, but up to now they have refused to include Linas Kleiza in the deal.

The dark horse in the Artest discussions may be the Suns. According to two league sources, the Suns have some interest. The team feels like they need to replace Shawn Marion's perimeter defense, and Artest would fit the bill. His ability to guard four positions makes him coveted, despite the concerns about his personality.

The Suns have a trade exception, which they acquired in the trade of Kurt Thomas to Seattle, that would allow Phoenix to acquire Artest without including other players in the deal. To make it happen, the Suns would likely have to include the first-round pick they acquired from Atlanta.

That's a high price to pay for Artest, for several reasons.

One, he has an early-termination option at the end of this season, which allows him to become an unrestricted free agent. The Suns could lose him for nothing this summer.

Two, adding Artest to the payroll would be expensive. The Suns are already on course to pay the luxury tax -- so they'd have to pay a dollar for dollar penalty on Artest.

Three, he's extremely unpredictable. The Suns' chemistry is already a question mark with the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal. How would they work Artest into the picture?