Artest to Lakers

LeBron or Kobe? Kobe or Shaq?

These weren't just classic sports arguments for Ron Artest. For him, this was real life, real money and perhaps his last real shot at an NBA championship.

He chose Kobe.

Or maybe his decision was more about Los Angeles over Cleveland (no contest there).

Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he's leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

Artest
Artest

In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."

ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports that Artest and the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement on what is believed to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $18 million.