It's Official: Artest Traded just saw this on ESPN.com, didn't see it on the BBS anywhere: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304512 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. 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm not sure how I feel about this. Do both teams really win here?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304512 -- 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. 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.
Assuming that the Pacers can resign Peja, I think it is a good move on their part. I mean "valuewise" if they are going to move Artest, I think Peja represents a good return on that trade. And Peja gives the Pacers a nice outside/inside combo to go with Oneal. Of course Peja is going to want a big deal and the Pacers have a ton of money already on the cap. I wonder if the Pacers would be willing to send Stephen Jackson to the Rockets for Wesley to reduce their cap number to financially ease the burden of taking on an upcoming Peja contract? Artest will help the Kings on the "toughness" front...Brad Miller and Artest together again...but still you have to wonder where this team is going directionwise? I think this trade could be just the first domino to fall in Kingsland to a bevy of more moves.
I think it's a risky move, but this tells us what the best offer was. Broken FA-to-be-Hilario & Watson = nope Broken Maggette = nope Ike Diogu, Pietrus, etc = not offered Harrington = not offered Odom = not offered We offered = ??? Interesting to note, Jermaine O'Neal specifically talked about Peja a month ago and said he didn't feel he'd be right for the team (citing defense, mostly). Jermaine was, however, very much in favor of Bonzi. Evan
isn't peja's deal up after this season? if his injury concerns weren't enough, why did the pacers settle for a guy in the last year of his deal that they could lose anyway after the season? they couldn't have gotten a better deal than a guy who isn't as great as everyone once thought he was. peja's not a star or a leader. he needs another 2 stars on his team to be effective. look at his numbers without webber, just another good nba player. i think the pacers could have gotten more.
If the Maloof's can convince Artest to play for them, the Kings will be a force, trading Peja for Artest from a talent perspective is way lopsided in the Kings favor. Part of Artests problem was like Terrell Owens, he thought he was underpaid now if the Maloof's can sign him to an extension at max money with penalties built into the contract if he misbehaves then they have a shot at at keeping him in Sac-town.
Its a good move for both teams, it was obvious the Pacers needed help and Artest not playing was hurting them. I also think Peja needed a change of environment.
