HOUSTON (AP) - Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los
Angeles Lakers.

David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the
Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA
champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still
being worked out, but could be finished as early as Thursday night.

ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal
worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying
the deal was still being negotiated.

"We're not quite there yet," Bauman said. "We're still
working on it."