CHESHIRE Jets are lining up an opportunistic swoop for LA Lakers star Ron Artest – and it seems he may be willing to move across the Atlantic.
The Jets contacted Artest to enquire about his availability after he revealed via the social networking website Twitter that he would consider a move to the UK.
New Yorker Artest, 31, says he is happy to play in the UK because the NBA is currently involved in a pay dispute with the NBA Players Association, which could see the start of the American season delayed by months.
The Jets decided to test how serious Artest was about moving to these shores by seeing if the forward, who has signed a five-year deal with the Lakers worth a staggering $33 million, would swap the NBA for the BBL.
Jets director Pete Hawkins said: “We’ve been in touch with Ron Artest to let him know we’d be happy to have him should he decide to come to the BBL. It would be an amazing coup, akin to David Beckham signing for LA Galaxy.”
On Twitter, Artest, who is soon to change his name to Metta World Peace, posted: “I’ll keep yal updated on what country I should play in on ronartest.com. Italy is pretty good. I like the UK even though they don’t pay much.”
He later wrote: “UK, Japan, France, Germany, Australia, those are my top five countries right now! ” And in response to a post by former Jets player Matt Schneck, Artest posted: “Can’t wait to play ball in the UK!”
And on Friday evening he tweeted: "I think I might play for Jets in UK!!!! Can't wait!!!!”, before changing his profile picture to a Jets shirt with ‘World Peace’ written on the back.
