Artest stays; Davis opts out

By BEE NEWS SERVICES

Ron Artest will remain in Sacramento, but Baron Davis may be history in Oakland.

Artest remained with the Kings on Monday, when the deadline passed for the small forward to opt out of the final season of his contract and take his skills to free agency.

Davis, meanwhile, elected to become a free agent, opting out of the final year of his contract with the Warriors in a surprise move.

The Warriors didn't expect Davis to opt out of the $17.8 million deal in the final year of a six-year contract, despite little progress in the parties' long-term negotiation, but club spokesman Raymond Ridder said they received a letter from Davis' agent, Todd Ramasar, late Monday indicating his intention.

Artest stays; Davis opts out....