ESPN: Artest a King

nbrans

nbrans

All-Star
#1
#1
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304512

Long-awaited deal comes to fruition for Pacers

ESPN.com news services





INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers have agreed to trade Ron Artest to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Peja Stojakovic pending league approval, ESPN's Jim Gray has confirmed Tuesday.

The deal closes a chapter in the Pacers' latest drama involving the volatile star forward.
Ron Artest
Small Forward
Indiana Pacers

Profile2006 SEASON STATISTICSGMPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%1619.44.92.245.99261.157

Artest was a key component to a team that was expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown. He led the league in steals and was the Pacers' second-leading scorer at 19.4 points a game before being deactivated after publicly requesting a trade in early December.

In five years with the Pacers, Artest was an All-Star once and was the NBA's defensive player of the year in 2003-04.

Pacers GM Larry Bird said the Pacers had been interested in Corey Maggette of the Los Angeles Clippers, but there was "no question" that Maggette's sprained left foot affected the process. Maggette averaged 21.7 points in 13 games before getting injured in early December.


The Pacers have lost four of their last five games, including Monday to the Atlanta Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record.
 
Burrito06

Burrito06

Bench
#2
#2
Wow.......I'm not amazed because I've been saying that the Kings were going to trade Peja for Artest since last year. But for some odd reason I feel bad that he is leaving.
 
PFFFT!!

PFFFT!!

Starter
#3
#3
Jan 24, 2006 3:15pm ET
Report: Pacers to Trade Ron Artest to Kings
Bloomberg.com is reporting that the "Indiana Pacers agreed to send Ron Artest to the Sacramento Kings for Peja Stojakovic in a trade of former National Basketball Association All-Stars, people familiar with the transaction said."
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/sports/top.html

Pacers to Trade Ron Artest to Kings for Stojakovic, People Familiar Say
Jan. 24 (Bloomberg) -- The Indiana Pacers agreed to send Ron Artest to the Sacramento Kings for Peja Stojakovic in a trade of former National Basketball Association All-Stars, people familiar with the transaction said.

The 26-year-old Artest, who was suspended for the final 73 games last season for a brawl with fans, averaged 19.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16 games with Indiana this season. He hasn't played since early December, when he asked to be traded and the team benched him because his behavior had become a distraction.

Stojakovic, 28, is averaging 16.4 points, second on the Kings, and 5.3 rebounds this season. He is a three-time All- Star.

The transaction is pending final approval from the league, said the people who requested anonymity because the deal isn't official.

Kings spokesman Troy Hanson and Pacers spokesman Jeff McCoy both declined to comment. Mark Stevens, Artest's agent, also wouldn't comment.

Artest told the Indianapolis Star on Dec. 11 that he wanted to be traded and that he didn't like playing for Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. He also said he wanted to join an NBA team that would allow him to shoot more often.

Pacers President Donnie Walsh said he would try to accommodate Artest's request and that the former Defensive Player of the Year wouldn't practice or play with the team.

The NBA fined Artest $10,000 on Dec. 17 for publicly asking to be traded, saying his comments were detrimental to the league. A day later, he told the Star he didn't want to be traded and would like to return to the Pacers.

`Last Straw'

``This is kind of the last straw on a lot of issues,'' Walsh told reporters on Dec. 12.

The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the 2003-04 season, Artest has been disciplined by the league numerous times, including last year's suspension for his part in a fight with fans in Detroit.

The 16th overall pick in the 1999 draft by Chicago, Artest spent 2 1/2 seasons with the Bulls before being traded to Indiana. He's averaged 14.6 points and 4.7 rebounds over his career, increasing those totals to 17.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26 postseason contests.

Stojakovic was in his eighth season with Sacramento, which drafted him 14th overall in the 1996 draft. He opted to play in Greece for two seasons before signing with the Kings in 1998.

The 6-foot-10 Stojakovic moved into the Kings' starting lineup for the 2000-01 season and earned the first of three straight All-Star Game appearances the next year. He's averaged 18.3 points and 5.0 rebounds over his career, shooting 89 percent from the foul line and 40 percent from 3-point range.
 
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Indianapolis King

Indianapolis King

G-League
#5
#5
I have been following the Kings closely this year as I am a Louisville fan (I love the Cisco kid) living in Indianapolis. As such I'm also a Pacer fan and season ticket holder. I have enjoyed (at times--not the last few games) watching the Kings. I also know Ron Artest, as a fan, and as both our kids are on the same junior bball team (at least for now). Ron is a good guy off the court, and can be dominating on the court--but--and its a BIG BUT--he will break your heart, and IS NOT dependable. He will not put the Kings first--it will ALWAYS be RA first, second, and third. I hate the fact that I'm going to have to watch him now as I follow the Kings and Cisco--any chance you might want to send Cisco with Peja??
 
piksi

piksi

Hall of Famer
#6
#6
Indianapolis King said:
-and its a BIG BUT--he will break your heart, and IS NOT dependable. He will not put the Kings first--it will ALWAYS be RA first, second, and third.
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we know but we are beyond desperate for something else.

we are also aware that there might be a point where we regret this.

Something just had to happen
 
HndsmCelt

HndsmCelt

Hall of Famer
#7
#7
At this point bassed on Pedja's paly this year and how the team has done this season the trade cannot hurt. Pedja's trade value has not been going up and it's not RA would be the first problem child to rehab his rep in Sac. Still I suspect this will be a short stop for the nutbag.
 
Diabeticwonder

Diabeticwonder

Bench
#15
#15
If all the details are finalized today then I wouldn't be surprised to see Ron play tomorrow at the Garden in his hometown. That's only if Peja doesn't go Doug Christie on us and take forever to have his physical done.
 
T

thesanityannex

Guest
#16
#16
Even if Artest doesn't pan out how we'd like, Petrie will be able to package him and ship him off in necessary.
 
Indianapolis King

Indianapolis King

G-League
#17
#17
I am troubled by this trade. While I will be happy for the Pacers to have Peja, I will Hate watching Artest for the Kings. I have to watch, but I won't like it. He ruined 2 seasons for the Pacers--I hope he doesn't do it to the Kings.
 
B

Bodiroga4C

Guest
#20
#20
I Will Always Like The Kings....but I Will Probably Take Indiana Over Kings As My Favorite Team
 
HndsmCelt

HndsmCelt

Hall of Famer
#21
#21
thesanityannex said:
Even if Artest doesn't pan out how we'd like, Petrie will be able to package him and ship him off in necessary.
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More importantly GP can make sure Artest does NOT go somewhere that he can really hurt us! Keeping him off of certain teams may be MORE valuable than having him on your own.;)
 
Diabeticwonder

Diabeticwonder

Bench
#22
#22
With half of the season over I think that GP is going into this as a trial run. If it doesn't work out for whatever reason then there will not be a shortage of teams willing to trade for Ron. If sports has taught me anything over the years it's that it doesn't matter how bad of person you may be or may have been or what you may have done in the past...if you can play at a high level then you will always be wanted by someone.
 
BLNINJA #81

BLNINJA #81

Bench
#23
#23
Diabeticwonder said:
If all the details are finalized today then I wouldn't be surprised to see Ron play tomorrow at the Garden in his hometown. That's only if Peja doesn't go Doug Christie on us and take forever to have his physical done.
Click to expand...
he better not!!! I bought tickets!
 
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