The Artest for Maggette rumors are still out there, despite Artest's solid play in yesterday's game against the 76ers, which saw the Kings draw to within two games of the .500 mark, and open two games in the loss column ahead of the last-place Clippers.

The LA Times reports the Clippers haven't received a trade proposal from the Kings, but that they would be interested if they got one.

The piece goes on to say that Maggette had been dangled in front of Philadelphia as part of a proposed offer to obtain Allen Iverson. The Clippers are apparently even more through with Maggette than the Kings are of Artest.

Meanwhile, it appears that we can cross the Orlando Magic off the list of teams where Artest could land (if they were ever on the list). The Orlando Sentinel says that the Magic have made a pact not to obtain players with "suspect characters". This means we can't expect to see the return of Hedo Turkoglu in a trade for Ron-Ron.

Interestingly enough, in a Q&A with Sam Amick of the Bee, Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof says he's unfamiliar with any trade request made by Artest. In fact, he refuses to even mention if trade talks are ongoing. He does say that he expects the team can turn the season around, and that it's not yet time to blow the team up.

Maloof is very high on Kevin Martin, and sees a bright future for Garcia and Douby. Much more in the above link.