SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest had surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.
Artest, who had the surgery in his native New York, will wear a splint for six weeks. He could return to playing basketball in eight to 10 weeks, giving him plenty of time to recover before training camp with the Kings or another team if he decides to opt out of his contract.
Artest averaged 20.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Kings, but he struggled with injuries and an uncertain future as Sacramento missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
The veteran forward played in just 57 games, including only four in April while his thumb injury worsened. He was suspended for the first seven games of the regular season, and he also underwent surgery on his right elbow in January, keeping him out for three weeks.
Artest could elect to become a free agent this summer, but his agent has suggested he won't opt out of the final year of his deal, worth $8.45 million.
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