Stars' comings,  goings overshadow summer play

	In Las Vegas, Ron Artest got better acquainted with his Kings teammates, and got others acquainted with his music career. rett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

LAS VEGAS -- Ron Artest skipped town. Amaré Stoudemire might soon be joining him. And Al Harrington has no idea where he's going next.

Those were the stories that caught everyone's attention Monday at the Vegas Summer League, where the presence of three big-name NBA players brought some added excitement to the nine-day, 16-team tournament that typically features rookies and free agents trying to make the last spots on a team's roster.

Artest, the eccentric Kings forward, played the first half of his team's game against the Knicks before leaving (with his team's permission) to catch a flight.

Stoudemire, the rehabbing Suns forward, said he, too, probably wouldn't stick around to play any more games after being whistled for 10 fouls (summer league rules allow up to that many before being disqualified) in his team's loss to the Pistons.

Harrington, the free-agent Hawks forward who stopped by the Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV to watch some of the action, said he still is waiting to hear about a possible sign-and-trade deal to the Pacers or Warriors.

It all made for a rather interesting day, at least by summer-league standards.

Stoudemire's presence (after missing almost all of the 2005-06 season following microfracture knee surgery) alone, however, assured that this summer's tournament would be notable for more than highlight-worthy dunks and box-score stuffing. Sporting his new No. 1 jersey, the 6-foot-10 power forward finished with 17 points (on 3-of-9 shooting) and nine rebounds in 32 minutes Monday before fouling out late in the contest. As in his two previous games at this year's Vegas Summer League, Stoudemire ran the floor well and played without any noticeable limp -- though he once again showed little of his trademark explosiveness around the rim.