Isiah made it pretty clear that Lee isn't going to get traded for Artest. If the trade takes place after August 28, it will include Jones and Dickau's expiring contracts. If not, it will be some combo of Jeffries, Nate, Q, maybe the rookies, or something like that.
I don't think Curry will get traded, so atleast Artest makes up for some defensive inefficiencies they have. You could always run a defensive lineup with Lee at center (he's not much of a defender either but he's active) with Balkman and the 3/or/4 and Artest taking up the other spot. I want him here more for his defensive abilities, but if he can score, that's cool, but just off of Randolph and Curry. So I agree with most of what you said.