Ron Artest and the Rockets want to continue their relationship, but the impending free agent will explore the market.

“You take everything into consideration,” Artest said Tuesday. “It’s hard to get into that right now, on what I’m thinking, as far as somebody making an offer I can’t refuse.

“It’s going on 48 hours (since the loss), so I really haven’t had time to think about it. I’m just trying to stay in the gym and just improving my game for next year.”

The Rockets have about $40 million locked up in McGrady and Yao Ming alone for next season, but general manager Daryl Morey said negotiating with Artest was a high priority this offseason.

“It’s an important issue for him and us,” Morey said. “He brought a lot to this team this year. My job isn’t Ron Artest, my job isn’t who to trade, it’s how do I make the roster, as a whole, better? He can be a big part of that. We’ll see if we can work it out.”

Via Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets

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