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Rick Carlisle was asked in a Dallas radio interview this week if he'd ever consider a reunion with Ron Artest, and he wasn't able to hide his enthusiasm about the idea. Tim McMahon of the Dallas Morning News transcribed Carlisle's thoughts:

"Of course," said Carlisle, who coached Artest in Indiana. "This guy is one of the real difference-makers that we have in this league. He's had one all-star year; that's when he played for me. I've had a chance to reconnect with Ronnie a couple times over the last couple of years. I love him and I love his family, so yeah. This guy was one of the most physical, intimidating players that I've ever seen at the small forward position, so he'd be a player that any team would want to have."

Now that Carlisle has left his gig as an ESPN analyst and is once again gainfully employed by an NBA team, someone might want to remind him that he doesn't have to say exactly what's on his mind all of the time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if Carlisle isn't guilty of tampering, he's certainly toeing the line.

Artest hasn't decided if he's going to opt-out of the last year of his contract, and hearing Carlisle talk about how he'd welcome another chance to coach him might make the decision to become a free agent a bit easier. A more favorable option for the Kings would be trading Artest to the Mavs and getting something back -- both McMahon and Sacramento Bee beat reporter Sam Amick suggest Josh Howard. After a miserable playoff run (that included birthday- and weed-related drama), Howard might be due a change of scenery.

Stay tuned: between the Jason Kidd trade and the Avery Johnson firing, we know the Mavs aren't afraid to embrace big change.