Free Agency Update: LeBron Reaches Out to Artest

Several outlets are reporting that the Cavaliers are making a strong play for Houston Rockets swingman Ron Artest.
In the process, LeBron James reportedly met with Artest Tuesday while in Los Angeles, according ot the Plain Dealer.
Artest made $7 million last year and wants to be with a team that could win  a championship, giving the Cavaliers an advantage considering the Houston Rockets, the team he played for last season, may have little shot of that because of a career-threatening injury to center Yao Ming.
But the other advantage may come in the fact that Mike Brown was on the coaching staff while he played for the Indiana Pacers. Brown said more than once during the regular season how much he admired the way Artest played the game.
That could be invaluable in courting a player who was involved in the infamous Detroit brawl, but who has maintained a low, controversy free profile for the past two seasons.
As for how to get him here? The likelihood that the Cavaliers will play for the mid-level exception of approximately $5.8 million, but the Rockets do covet Anderson Varejao raising the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal.
The Cavaliers may also be on the list of Los Angeles Lakers swingman Trevor Ariza, according to ESPN.com.