Volatile veteran forward Ron Artest(notes), seen here in action in May 2009, is poised to join the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, agreeing to a three-year deal, the Los Angeles Times reported on Friday.

FILE - In this May 6, 2009, file photo, Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest(notes), right, has words for Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(notes) during Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoff series in Los Angeles. Artest is joining Bryant and the Lakers. David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the 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, July 2, 2009.

FILE - In this March 16, 2009, file photo, Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest(notes) smiles after a play during an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Hornets in New Orleans. Artest is heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to various media reports Thursday, July 2, 2009.

-- FILE -- In this June 4, 2009, file photo, Orlando Magic forward Marcin Gortat(notes) (13) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals in Los Angeles. Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey showed up at Gortat's home in Orlando just after midnight (Eastern time) Wednesday, July 1, 2009, virtually the minute teams were officially allowed to begin negotiating with free agents.

FILE - In this June 11, 2009 file photo, Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu(notes), from Turkey, celebrates a shot in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in Orlando, Fla. Free agency opens in the NBA on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, and the Magic appear likely to lose Turkoglu after trading for Vince Carter(notes) last week.

FILE - In this May 8, 2009, file photo, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming(notes), left, of China, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol(notes), right, of Spain, compete for a rebound during an NBA Western Conference playoff basketball game. Yao's broken left foot could be a "career-threatening" injury. Dr. Tom Clanton, the Rockets' team physician, told the Houston Chronicle on Monday, June 29, 2009, that Yao's injury "has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening."

FILE - In this May 8, 2009, file photo, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming(notes) (11), of China, walks off the court following the team's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of a second-round Western Conference NBA basketball playoff series in Houston. Yao's broken left foot could be a "career-threatening" injury. Dr. Tom Clanton, the Houston Rockets' team physician, told the Houston Chronicle on Monday, June 29, 2009, that Yao's injury "has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening."

New York Knicks NBA basketball draft picks Jordan Hill(notes), right, and Toney Douglas(notes), center, walk with New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi during batting practice before an interleague baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, June 26, 2009, in New York. Hill was selected No. 8 overall. Douglas was selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers was trade for for a future second-round draft pick and cash.

-- FILE -- In this June 4, 2009, file photo, Orlando Magic forward Tony Battie(notes) (4) dunks during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles. The New Jersey Nets have dealt Vince Carter(notes) and forward Ryan Anderson(notes) to the Magic, Thursday, June 25, 2009. The Nets get point guard Rafer Alston(notes), shooting guard Courtney Lee(notes) and power forward Battie.

FILE - In this March 1, 2009, file photo, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal(notes) points to his team's bench as he trots past the Los Angeles Lakers' bench after making a field goal during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix. The Cleveland Cavaliers are close to acquiring center Shaquille O'Neal in a trade with the Suns, multiple people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press early Thursday, June 25, 2009. O'Neal will join Cleveland in exchange for center Ben Wallace(notes), guard Sasha Pavlovic(notes), a second-round draft pick (No. 46 overall in the NBA draft) and cash, said the two people who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league still must approve the deal.