The main speculation involves a package featuring Troy Murphy for Artest, but Dan Fegan, the agent for Murphy, said Thursday that Mullin assured him Murphy would not be included in any trade for Artest, which sounds right to me since Murphy's long-term deal is a major complication.

Any trade is more likely to include Ike Diogu and/or Mickael Pietrus. I believe Mullin is loath to trade multiple young players without filling his main need in the low post.

Yes, Artest would be a major plus for this team if he could be controlled, and I'm fairly sure that Montgomery couldn't do it.