<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"&lt;a href=\"http://www.tmz.com/person/ron-artest/\"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ron Artest&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt; has a back-up plan in case the NBA lockout torpedoes next season -- we're told, Mr. World Peace is currently in talks with \"&lt;a href=\"http://www.tmz.com/category/dancing-with-the-stars/\"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Dancing with the Stars&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;\" ... and is seriously thinking about competing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;img src=\"http://ll-media.tmz.com/2011/07/26/0726-artest-dancing-with-stars-ex.jpg\" alt=\"0726_artest_dancing_with_stars_ex\" /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nothing's official yet -- but sources tell us, both Artest and \"Dancing\" producers have been in touch to hash out a possible deal ... and Ron's pretty excited about the prospect.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But here's the catch -- \"Dancing\" won't end 'til November and basketball season typically starts in October ... which means if the lockout ends early, Ron could be S.O.L.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That said, Ron could theoretically handle both commitments simultaneously -- because as TMZ first reported, \"Dancing\" producers are desperate for A-list talent ... so there will be NO minimum rehearsal requirement next season.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;!-- relatedlinks --&gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.tmz.com/2011/07/26/ron-artest-shawn-marion-dancing-with-the-stars-los-angeles-lakers-dallas-mavericks-in-talks-discussion-negotiations/1/>