Yao Ming expressed concerns about team chemistry to the Houston Chronicle and referenced Ron Artest's involvement in the 2004 brawl with Pistons' fans following the news that the former Pacer and King had been dealt to the Rockets.

"Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands," Yao said, according to the Chronicle.

When asked about those comments, Artest said Yao had bought into "all the propaganda" about him, according to The Sacramento Bee.

"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," Artest said, according to the report. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about."

"If you go back to the brawl, that's a culture issue right there. Somebody was disrespecting me, so he's got to understand where I'm coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed."

With Jerry Reinsdorf and director of player personnel Gar Forman taking a greater role in contract negotiations, Bulls GM John Paxson has been freed up to talk trades with other teams, according to a report by Mike Mcgraw of the Daily Herald.

According to the report, the Bulls have had discussions with Sacramento about center Brad Miller while guard Larry Hughes has been attracting some interest.

Some options, according to McGraw, include include Portland's Joe Przybilla, New York's Jared Jeffries, Dallas' Erick Dampier, or Denver's Kenyon Martin.

Ron Artest said that he was excited about going to the Rockets but would join them only if they are committed to him, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.

Artest's comments about commitment stem from Yao Ming?s wariness of the trade.  Ming is happy with the deal but is concerned for team chemistry.

?We?ve still got to make sure there?s still a commitment,? Artest told the Sacramento Bee. ?That?s the main thing. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets organization, we?re going to find out how much they really want me there.?

?For some reason, I like (Artest),? Yao said, ?because in the games we play against him, I hate him."

?When I text-messaged with Luis (Scola), we talked about team chemistry. That?s only what worries us. We worry about the new attitude to the team. We are adding talent to the team, and we need that, but building team chemistry is important. This is not bad. I don?t mean he is not welcome to Houston. But a new player always needs some time."

?There?s worry. Obviously, yes. ... Hopefully, he?s not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands. ... I have to find a way to talk to him and see what we can do as a basketball team. He has a history, but we know he is a physical player. He is a good player. He really can help us.?

The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement to acquire forward Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.

The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name.

Rookie Donte Greene is included in the deal, but since Greene has already signed a rookie contract he cannot currently be traded.

Greene is considered to be key to the trade from the King's perspective, and his status will prevent the deal from going through until August 14, when he becomes eligible to be dealt.

The Rockets also are expected to acquire rookies Patrick Ewing Jr. and Sean Singletary in the deal to make the money match, but both have partially guaranteed contracts and are likely to be released.

The Rockets will also send the Kings cash in excess of $1 million.

The Sacramento Kings have given guard Bobby Brown a guaranteed contract for two years, Marc Stein from ESPN.com is reporting.

The second year of Brown's new deal, sources said, is a player option.

Brown was chased by a number of teams in the last week, including the New Orleans Hornets, where Brown was impressive as the lead guard in the Las Vegas summer league.  The Warriors were also believed to be interested.

Israel's Maccabi Tel-Aviv has been pursuing Brown aggressively this month, but sources said Brown was on the verge of accepting a multiyear deal "in the millions" from Spanish giant Barcelona this week when Sacramento increased its bid.

Brown outplayed three first-round picks -- Memphis' Mike Conley, Charlotte's D.J. Augustin, and San Antonio's George Hill -- in head-to-head matchups in Las Vegas.

The Pistons are considering a move to acquire Ron Artest.

A source close to the Pistons confirmed that the team is pondering a trade for Artest.  But a source close to the Kings says the Pistons have not yet called Sacramento.

The Pistons wouldn't be able to reach the Kings' chief decision-maker in the coming days.  Geoff Petrie is going on vacation.

Kings' center Brad Miller vows to rebound after he returns from a five-game suspension to start the season for violating the league's anti-drug policy, according to The Sacramento Bee.

"Sometimes things have to get really bad before I fix things in my life, and that's (how) it's been my whole life," Miller admitted.

He failed a drug test for a third time because of marijuana use late last season.

"All the stress gets to you, and this is one way to take my mind off of everything. I'll look for something different. I don't like sleeping pills ? that's my biggest problem," Miller said.

"It's tough to sleep, you know. And you know, the people who might think I'm a bad guy for this ? I'm not a bad guy. I'm still me. It's just one thing I thought would help," he added. "It obviously wasn't the right thing to do, but it was helpful to my mental state."

The Sacramento Kings have tried for a Ron Artest trade to Dallas in exchange for Josh Howard, but the Mavericks are not interested, the Dallas Morning News is reporting.

The Mavs were willing to give up Jerry Stackhouse and Brandon Bass for the former All-Star, but when the Kings wanted Howard in return the discussions ended, writes Brandon George.

The talk involving Artest and Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers also appears to have broken down while Phoenix and San Antonio are still interested.

The Mavericks have reportedly made an offer for Kings' forward Ron Artest, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Dallas has reportedly offered Jerry Stackhouse and Brandon Bass for Artest, but the Kings aren't expected to seriously consider trading with the Mavericks unless Josh Howard is included in the deal.

The Lakers continue to be regarded as the favorites for Ron Artest as they offer Lamar Odom.

Their willingness to swallow the remaining two years and $16.5 million of Kenny Thomas' contract is considered the only holdup.