Artest leaves Kings for Houston in multi-player trade

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Controversial forward Ron Artest officially joined the Houston Rockets in a multi-player trade with the Sacramento Kings, the team said on Thursday.

Artest, forward Patrick Ewing Jr and guard Sean Singletary moved to Houston in exchange for rookie forward Donte Greene, guard Bobby Jackson and Houston's first-round draft pick in 2009.

"This is definitely the high point of my career," Artest, 28, said in a conference call. "It's the biggest opportunity I've ever had playing basketball.

"I should definitely make the team better. There's no ifs, ands or buts about it. I already know what kind of coach (Rick) Adelman is and I definitely should be able to help out.

"When you get a chance to play for same organization that had Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde (Drexler), you've got to appreciate that."

The 6ft-7in, 248-pound Artest, who averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Kings last season, will make up a heavyweight trio in Houston with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

"From hearing Ron's recent statements, it's obvious that he has an immense desire to win," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said.

"We have a team of players who have that same immense desire and Ron will fit right in."

Renowned for his physical defense, Artest was named the NBA's defensive player of the year for 2003-2004 and has twice been an All-Defensive first team selection.

He is also known for his role in one of the most notorious brawls in U.S. sports history when a 2004 fight spilled into the stands to involve Detroit Piston fans.

Artest, then playing for the Indiana Pacers, lost about $5 million in earnings following a 73-game suspension. He has also generated headlines with volatile behavior on and off the court on other occasions.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)