Artest gets his wish, finally becomes a Laker

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Ron Artest has signed with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the team he says he wanted to join for years.

Artest, who played for the Houston Rockets last season, received a five-year deal worth about $33 million, according to his agent, David Bauman.

Seated next to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, Artest professed that he has wanted to be a Laker for several years, but the timing was never right.

He agreed to a deal last week, but couldn't sign it until Wednesday. The Lakers also re-signed guard Shannon Brown.