Peja has expiring contract and still thinks he can get max contract next year. If Pacers go that way, they would get nothing back once Peja leaves. I'd take Head+pick+expiring contract over Peja if I were runing Pacers.
If the Pacers wanted an expiring contract, they'd trade for Peja... Peja would help them this season, and might be good enough to be re-signed or let go if they are looking for lux tax relief.
I have a weird feeling a deal will go down with the Rockets and Pacers. Paging Doc Rocket. Paging Doc Rocket.
I'd like to see it happen, but I don't think our front office would want to tinker with things now that we are winning some games with T-Mac back. That said, if we had Artest, then we would be able to win some games even with T-Mac hurt. Having Artest here would free T-Mac to concentrate solely on offense and score around 30 ppg. I really don't know what Artest's deal is. He seems to be a team player, yet selfish at the same time.
I like some of the ideas thrown around here but I wonder which players Houston and Indiana would want to part with. Would yielding Luther and Stromile be worth it? Would we have to hand over Wesley and Mooch (expiring contracts) and take back Croshere, that sort of thing? Man, it would be interesting to have Walsh's recorded conversations right about now.
With all due respect, the Pacers probably won't get equal value back. He only makes $6.5/yr. Since he's forcing the issue and with his past, the Pacers don't have much leverage. IMO, the Rockets are one of the few teams that MAY be willing to gamble with Artest. Of the teams that ARE willing to gamble with Artest, do they have something better to offer? Pacer's almost certainly wouldn't trade him to the east. Looking west: * Dallas always goes after big names but they may not w/ the little general in charge. Could they make a better offer than Houston. Doubtful. * Wolves would love to deal Garnett but Artest alone wouldn't be near enough in many ways. * Kings would do it but the Pacers may not want Peja. What else would the Kings part with? ...not Bibby. * Lakers could probably put a competative package together. Phil tamed Rodman and may be willing to take on Artest. But Odem and Artest straight up don't work. Pacer's would have to add somebody else. #'s wise Anthony Johnson would work but the Pacer's don't need another pg. * Clippers could put a good package together but would they gamble on Artest's bagage? Maggette would be an even swap even though he is a guard and Artest is a forward. But do the Clips really want to trade Maggette? Why? By the #'s, it is a downgrade plus they get Artest's baggage. * Suns would have to give up key parts and wouldn't chance it. They already have Marion who is a stud. * Spurs wouldn't do it. * Hornets have nothing and probably wouldn't risk it anyway. * Denver has some assets. They could offer Voshon Lenard and Nene. But that leaves the Pacers w/out a SF. I don't think Denver would part w/ any of their other starters. * Warriors have nothing to offer. Pacers may take Dunleavy with another good toss in but Dunleavy isn't tradeable cause he's still on his rookie contract. * Portland wouldn't dare take on another malcontent at this point. * Memphis could probably put together a nice package. They could offer Mike Miller and Hakim Warrick, for example. But is that better than what Houston could offer? * Seattle, I don't see them wanting to go after Artest. Lewis's contract is too big for the Pacers to find a decent swap. Radmonivic isn't tradable due to restrictions. I don't see too many other options. * Utah, I don't see them wanting Artest either. Not a good fit. Additionally, if we take Croshere and give them Stro, that is an upgrade for them and they dump Croshere finally. That would leave us w/ a backup PF, albeit a downgrade. But worth it. We have DA that would be a starter in place of Artest. We have young talent like Head. We have expiring contracts in Wesley (who can play good minutes for them) or Moochie. Houston could be as much a player as anybody.
I disagree, I think a trade is immenent with this team, just waiting for the 15th like other teams I'm sure. Even though we've won 4 of 5, it seems like fool's gold to me. ATL, Boston, Sac, and Portland aren't exactly tearing up the NBA. We beat them like we should, but I think these next 2 games versus the Warriors and Clips will either guage how good of a team we are or how bad those other teams are. I think a deal is coming soon, I don't think we have anything the Pacers want in return for Artest, but I wouldn't be suprised if CD is trying.
Artests trade value is down because Indi wants him out. They will take less for him, so I say if we have a shot at him, take it. I dont know about giving up Head though...pun intended. He is an impact player and it is plainly evident that our Rockets need another one of those to make any kind of serious run. Yes, he is a problem, baby Rodman. But in my opinion, he will bring a grit to the court that the Rox are lacking. The question would be can JVG keep him in check, moreover, would McGrady assert himself as team leader if something should arise where Artest would need to be confronted, plus just keeping him in line in general. A lot to ask? Yes, but well worth it if we win into mid June. Of course, we need to acquire him first.
To me, we are just counting the days with Wesley. I think he is going to be moved somewhere. We still need PG help which is why I mentioned the Wesley for Atkins trade option.
I love Head too. But, he would be a no doubter to get included in any deal with Indiana. They need a SG and Head has lots of potential.
Agreed. Even though Alston's injured and we don't have another PG, Wesley sure has been seeing a lot of minutes despite his play. As far as dealing Head for Artest, I am torn. I love what Head brings to this team, he's been awesome for us and I would love to see him grown with this team.
Artest = 3rd best SF in the game Having Artest and McGrady on the team, who do you cover with your 2 guard? Can you imagine Ginobili trying to cover either one of them because Bowen can only cover one. Also, it would be Artest taking the tougher defensive assignment. With that much talent, you have to give it shot, especially at the bargain price of his contract.
Walsh also said they want youth, pontential, and financial relief. Peja provides only financial relief. Head provides youth, our #1 pick gives them something for long term, and wesley gives them financial relief. It makes perfect sense! And the $$$ works out well.
Peja also brings some of the best shooting in the NBA. While it makes perfect sense to us, the Pacers would get bashed heavily if they made a deal like this. Let's not pretend that we are the only team that can give them an expiring contract, lot's of teams can do this and provide a better a player in the mean time.
I'm prob in the minority, but I do not want to give up Head for Artest, they can have Stromile(though i still think he will amount to good), Anderson, Wesley or anyone else on the roster(besides tmac, yao). I think Head will develop into a very good player, and Artest will prob leave us after 08 for a better contract, and who knows if he'll even last that long. That said I would give anybody else on the roster for him. He would be Pippen to Tmacs Jordan, and we have Yao on top of that. But I dont see us getting him with what we have to offer.
