Ron Artest will visit the Cheshire Jets in Britain later this month to discuss playing for them during the lockout, Artest's publicist, Courtney Barnes, confirmed.
"Ron is just going to the UK to take a meeting," Barnes said Thursday. "That's it. There's no deal in place for him to play. Â… He is just going to see the lay of the land."
The Los Angeles Times first reported the meeting Tuesday.
Barnes confirmed the dates of Artest's planned trip as Aug. 18-23 and could not provide any details on the film project that Artest has mentioned being interested in while in England.
A post on Artest's Twitter page read: "Go Jets!!!!! Uk , here we come!!! Jets are the best!!! Jets are the best!!! New chant!!!!!!!!!"
Peter Hawkins, director of the Jets, said on the team's website: "We are honoured that Ron has even mentioned the prospect of joining The Jets. Financially we have nothing to offer him, but it would be so significant for UK basketball we have offered him a stake in the club and all the love in the world!"
According to FIBA rules, Artest would have to return to the Lakers once the NBA lockout ends.
Artest averaged 8.5 points per game last season and appeared in all 82 games for the Lakers. He has three years and $21 million remaining on his contract.
