Ron Artest said yesterday that he would finish his career with the Sacramento Kings, ending any possibility that the Queensbridge product would suit up for the Knicks.

But Artest joked that he knew how to fix the Knicks and could help Isiah Thomas - his former coach with the Indiana Pacers - run the team after his retirement.

"I think (the Knicks) can turn it around, but they need some rest and less partying in New York City," Artest said with a smile at a press conference at a midtown restaurant to announce that the All-Star Classic for Wheelchair Charities will be held at the Garden on Saturday, Sept.9. "That's my bid to be a general manager."

Artest didn't offer any specifics on how he would improve the Knicks, who won just 23 games last season, but said he didn't like to see his hometown team suffer last year.

"Every time they lost I felt bad," Artest said. "I didn't want to see them lose."