the Pacers and Kings are exceedingly close to swapping Ron Artest

[hey_gripboy]

http://www.nypost.com/sports/59477.htm

January 24, 2006 -- I have it on excellent authority the Pacers and Kings are exceedingly close to swapping Ron Artest (three more years after this on his contract with a right to opt out after two) for Peja Stojakovic, who has the freedom to opt out after this season or play out the next.
Then again, let me put it another way: The two teams are as close as my Paper Clips were to acquiring Artest for Corey Maggette before an Indiana doctor decided the swingman's left ankle was too great a risk.

According to three sources, it's strictly Sacramento's call; the Pacers are agreeable and ready to deal, and are waiting for the Kings to make up their mind.

 

[Amory]

umm......I don't know what to say.

 

[nbrans]

If this came from anyone other than Peter Vescey I think I'd be excited. Otherwise, I'll just keep clicking "refresh" on espn.com all day to see if there's an official announcement.

 

[piksi]

Peter Vescey - when was he right - the last time ?

 

[Hicks]

So you all are aware, yes Vescey does get things right at times (see the Jamal Magloire trade), and more importantly, he's had solid sources with the Pacers for a loooooooong time (he's buddies with Donnie Walsh), so when he says something involving the Pacers, it's time to listen.

It says the ball is in Sacramento's court. Do you think they'll say yes?

Also, I have a question about Peja.

Do you think a change in scenery will do wonders for him and his game? He seems to have regressed this season.

 

[hey_gripboy]

same hre.. i read an article in da bee bout peja saying he would take less money to remain with the Kings...

 

[piksi]

Do you think a change in scenery will do wonders for him and his game? He seems to have regressed this season.

he is not healthy and nowhere near 100%. Then again - he can't play worse than he is at the moment.

 

[mcsluggo]

Oh, there is ALWAYS room to get worse. Always!

 

[piksi]

Oh, there is ALWAYS room to get worse. Always!

I guess

 

[KP]

--Here is some confirmation other than PV, that at least some activity is going on and Bird is getting ready to pull the trigger...



http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060124/SPORTS04/601240418/1088

IndyStar.com Sports Pacers

January 24, 2006


Bird: Artest trade will happen soon
Pacers president dismisses idea that All-Star's pending departure is a legitimate distraction

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By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com
The Indiana Pacers appear to be closing in on a trade involving Ron Artest.


In the meantime, team president Larry Bird doesn't accept the argument that all the intrigue surrounding their forward should be a factor in the team's play.
"It's no distraction," Bird said Monday. "Donnie (Walsh) has built this team on depth.
"What happens after this? Are they going to be distracted by the trading deadline? It's all about who you have that night. If Ronnie was injured and he was out, would it be the same way? Players are always looking for excuses and it's unfortunate. This league is built on guys competing."
A few Pacers acknowledged that the trade rumors involving Artest -- and in some cases other team members -- have been disruptive.
Bird believes they won't have to wait much longer. He said the Pacers are talking with "five, maybe six" teams, all in the Western Conference. He doesn't expect more than two teams to be included in the deal, and hopes not to have to package
"I can't say we're in love with all the deals, but they're getting better," Bird said. "Last week was a pretty good week. The offers improved. There's some teams that want no part of him, and others who say, 'This is the guy we need to get over the hump.'
"They know he can be a difference-maker. I have to agree with them."
Luxury tax considerations have complicated matters, as the Pacers don't want to take on too much additional salary in a trade.
"I'm a firm believer you have to be patient in this league," Bird said. "The teams that are patient in trades (have more success). We'd like to get this done, but we've got a job to do and we have to make sure our fans are happy with what we get. They're our paying customers and we're trying to do our best for them."

 

[hey_gripboy]

There's some teams that want no part of him, and others who say, 'This is the guy we need to get over the hump'.----> is BIRD referring to the KINGS here???

 

[whozit]

Take over the hump or want no part of him? Flip a coin, both could fit.

 

[Ryle]

According to three sources, it's strictly Sacramento's call; the Pacers are agreeable and ready to deal, and are waiting for the Kings to make up their mind.

Hasn't this pretty much been the case all along??? Indiana would take Peja for Artest in a second but it's been the Kings who have been reluctant to do this.........although I would love it if they did.

 

[chelle]

I think that I would sctually cry if this happened. Don't get me wrong, I am not above saying that we should trade Peja. I have loved having him on our team, but let's face it- the lst couple of seasons have not been too hot for him. However, I am not sure about Artest. His talent is unquestioned. It's his character that I am worried about. Yes, RA has a way with "misfits," but will he be here next season? The point of the games is to win, but at what cost? What are we giving up as a team?
If we get him and he contibutes more than he detracts, I will welcome him. However, I think that he will be the one player that i will struggle with giving the benefit of the doubt to. Not that it really matters, i guess.

 

[love_them_kings]

I think that I would sctually cry if this happened. Don't get me wrong, I am not above saying that we should trade Peja. I have loved having him on our team, but let's face it- the lst couple of seasons have not been too hot for him. However, I am not sure about Artest. His talent is unquestioned. It's his character that I am worried about. Yes, RA has a way with "misfits," but will he be here next season? The point of the games is to win, but at what cost? What are we giving up as a team?
If we get him and he contibutes more than he detracts, I will welcome him. However, I think that he will be the one player that i will struggle with giving the benefit of the doubt to. Not that it really matters, i guess.

and that is a very good point. If anyone can, RA might be able to turn around Artest. Even that would be a challenge. But pair Artest with a less understanding coach, and well, things don't look good. Artest worries me. I'm not sure Peja is the right fit for the Kings right now, but I don't think Artest is the answer.

 

[mcsluggo]

I think that I would sctually cry if this happened. Don't get me wrong, I am not above saying that we should trade Peja. I have loved having him on our team, but let's face it- the lst couple of seasons have not been too hot for him. However, I am not sure about Artest. His talent is unquestioned. It's his character that I am worried about. Yes, RA has a way with "misfits," but will he be here next season? The point of the games is to win, but at what cost? What are we giving up as a team?
If we get him and he contibutes more than he detracts, I will welcome him. However, I think that he will be the one player that i will struggle with giving the benefit of the doubt to. Not that it really matters, i guess.

Yeah, kinda key. No?

No matter what you think of RA overall (And I've been quick to jump on his case sometimes) there aren't many coaches that seem to calm the savage beasts of the NBA the way he does. I could see him turning Bonzi and Artest into monsters in a GOOD way, while for anyone else they'd likely be monsters more in the sense of "lord of the flies"

if the kings trade for Artest, resign Bonzi and Rick is gone next year... well if we find Kevin on the beach by a bonfire with his glasses beaten into his skull with a rock, we'll know what happened

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Bring on the Fan Puncher.

 

[gilly420]

Man, PULL THE TRIGGER ON THIS PETRIE !!!!!

Even if Artest only works out so-so for the rest of the year, as long as he stays on the court, his trade value will only go up due to the cost of his contract. Then we could finally package him with KT or another player with a bad contract and who knows what we can get. A star player for fifty cents on the dollar ??? GO FOR IT PETRIE!

 

[tyrant]

so if we do this swap, will it take place before the all-star break?

 

[gman23]

Can you image?

Bibby
Wells
Artest
Shareef
Miller(still need a real center)

 

[Jose]

Bring on the Fan Puncher.

Look at it on the bright side... at least it won't be OUR fans getting punched

 

[bperiod]

PLEASE pull the trigger on this...we will get nothing better for Peja...or we can wait around and get nothing? Artest is just what we need..HEART, toughness, and defense. Let's just pray he's realized he has to be a model citizen. And if I'm not mistaken Brad Miller said he's a great teammate?

 

[Bricklayer]

but I don't think Artest is the answer.

He might be. Then again he might not. Of course first you have to establish, what is the question? What are we trying to do here?

Is Ron Artest the perfect guy to come in be one of the guys and run the Princeton? NO.
Is Ron Artest a solitary Kobesque talent of such potency that he alone can lead you to the promised land? NO.
Is Ron Artest a team leader at all? NO.
Can Ron Artest be teamed with another great player to give you one of those elite duos that great teams so often build around? Yes. Maybe. If he stays sane and is dedicated.
Can Ron Artest change the defensive and toughness culture on the Kings? Yes. Partially at least.
And finally can Ron Artest tear the team apart? Yes. Definitely. Of course the question would be...so what? What do we have to lose?

If this move was made...
1) Rick would probably wish we'd fired him. But Rick would also be a huge key to tryng to tame the beast. Might considerably alter the thinking of whether he should come back or not.
2) If it really was just Ron for Peja, Ron and Bonzi together would be a tremendously tough OG/SF duo. Toughest in the league in fact. But would also be an implosion waiting to happen. Artest/Bonzi/Martin/Garcia would be a terrific toughness/hustle quartet, but there would be no minutes for the kids.
3) There would still be just as big of a shot crunch as there had been with Peja. The team would still be unbalanced and still in need of a NON-SCORER or two in the starting lineup for once.
4) Kobe would not score 51 on us. Or 81 thank god.
5) But the interior defense would still be lousy.
6) Brad might be inspired to become tougher again -- many believe he was tougher in Chicago and Indiana because Artest egged him on and gave him courage.
7) Ron would expect, and might deserve, to be our #1 option. He's no longer just a defender. He's a 20+pt scorer.
8) If he was frustrated with the Carlisle system, he might become frustrated with the Princeton too. Ron's game is get the ball and attack, not backcut and spot up.

 

[Andriod_KiNg]

This move can only work if we bring in a shotblocker/rebounder in the front court IMO...

 

[nbrans]

Artest's agent says a "deal is imminent."

Pacers closer to trading Artest

CLIFF BRUNT

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Pacers are closer to dealing Ron Artest and getting a player to help their struggling team, his agent and the team said.
"We're closer than we were," Larry Bird, Pacers president of basketball operations, said Tuesday. "To say we're going to do something today, well, that's not going to happen."
Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, said "a deal is imminent, almost as soon as possible."
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.
He became an All-Star and was once named defensive player of the year in his five years with the Pacers.
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 his injury.
The Timberwolves were among many teams that have inquired about Artest and were thought to be a prime contender in the sweepstakes. But talks between Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale and Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh have slowed of late.
Jermaine O'Neal, the Pacers' leading scorer, has said some players might be worried about getting traded along with Artest and it could be affecting their play. The Pacers have lost four of their last five games, including Monday to the Atlanta Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record.
Bird said the Artest situation affecting the team's play doesn't make sense because there's always a chance a player can be traded.
"I don't believe that," Bird said. "How can they be affected? It's the same thing every year."
Bird said his players should not worry because he's trying for a one-for-one deal. He said the Pacers' recent tailspin has not pushed him to make a deal more quickly.
"We want to do what's right for this franchise."

 

[bibbinator]

Artest lives is an inhabitant of alternate space/time continuum, one all his own. He's nutters.

Perhaps his suspension from the Pacers has helped align his continuum with the more popular reality?

Maybe RA can apply his quantum mechanics in order to assist the alignment?

Maybe we can give him a game or two off to support his rap career if it keeps him simpatico?

 

[nbrans]

^I agree with just about everything that Bricklayer said, although I'll add that Artest is an underrated passer and might be a better fit for the Princeton than people might think. It also might help to have an alpha-scorer, and Artest was beginning to show signs of capably fulfilling that role.

 

[FullAB]

no mention of the Kings........curious

 

[G_M]

This seems like a no brainer for Indy! Indy in it's current form is not a threat. Peja is not the "answer" but could be a critical piece in the right system.

1) Larry Bird somehow inspires Peja to play with some passion and the move gives Indy a 3pt threat who can stretch the D and make room for JO. I believe Larry Bird may think he can actually help Peja get to another level.

2) Peja conitues to play like a girlyman, his contract expires and they move on.

The situation is more complicated than that but that's the basics.

Much more complicated issue for the Kings.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

Is there really that big of a risk from the Kings standpoint? The first thought is yes, it's a huge risk, but when you look at it closely I really don't see as big of a risk as some may think. You are swapping out a great shooter whose better days are probably behind him and you are getting the most complete offensive/defensive player in the game. There is no guarantee that Peja will sign with the Kings in the offseason regardless of his comments in today's Bee (see Carlos Boozer). Personally, I think that Ron would come to Sac and be on his best behavior. If not, then there will always be other teams out there willing to take a flyer on him. It's not as if he's an untradeable commodity at all. After having read "Reynolds Remembers" I tend to think that Petrie just might pull this deal off as Jerry gave a little insight into GP's thought process in making some deals in the past.