Now that Artest has been villified into the ranks of Dennis Rodman and Kermit Washington (rightly or wrongly, depending on your view), where does he end up? Do the Pacers keep him, knowing they can't get fair value for him? Do they take the best lowball offer or even waive him to simply cut ties? Who would look to pick him up? Keeping in mind that any GM that trades for Artest will face intense opposition from at least half of their fans for doing so, who would still pull the trigger? IMHO, Portland, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Charlotte, Utah, and San Antonio can all be dismissed out of hand simply because the managment/fans would not allow even the consideration of bringing in Artest. Boston is the only maybe in the bunch if Ricky Davis has another incident and it's a 1-for-1 swap. Then I'd eliminate those that don't need (much) help at the 2 or 3. I say this because you would think that it would have to be a pressing need to trade for Ron at this point. Remember, you're almost assured that at least some of your season ticket holders will tear up their tix over this. That would take out Seattle, the Bucks, Orlando, Dallas, Memphis, Minny, Lakers, and Suns. Philly would never work, since O'Brien would have an aneurysm if you put Iverson and Artest on the same roster. I highly doubt Miami would make a move for a guy out for the season since they're clicking so well right now. I also doubt Cleveland would make a move, seeing how Silas ran Davis out of town to keep him from LeBron. That leaves: New Jersey - literally trying out any FAs they can find right now; the team is desparate for help. New York - put nothing past Isiah. Sweetney for Artest might not be so bad. Toronto - chances probably aren't great, since the guys they want to dump are making 10 times what Ron is right now. Atlanta - how happy would Al be with his old buddy back for his minutes? Washington - Jared Jefferies and Juan Dixon are in the right salary ballpark. New Orleans - with Mash gone, fans leaving, and the West creaming them, this team needs a talent infusion as badly as anyone. They have already been in contact with Bird and Walsh. Denver - Kiki would have the guts to this move if he though it was right. Plenty of low-cost bait on the team, and they need to fill the 2 spot. Golden State - if they give up on Dunleavy. Clippers - how does Kerry Kittles sound? Knees not included. Sacramento - the Peja idea never interested them, and it would have to be someone like Christie at this point. No of these trades are likely to happen until the Trading Deadline at the absolute earliest, and that's only if Stern reduces the suspension upon appeal. A summer move is more likely if it happens. Also to chew on - will Artest just quit over this? Evan <Edit> Houston wasn't mentioned. Maybe that's for the best. Don't talk about it. Hush. Shhh. Shhhhhhhhh.......
emjohn, As a Pacer fan, how do you feel about him coming back to your team? As far as the pole goes, banish him to Atlanta where he will get as little attention as possible.
Cripes! You kow what's funny is, I do dread a move by CD, JVG & Co. I think I must have repressed it out of fear while writing the poll. Hey codell, I wouldn't describe myself as a Pacer fan. Not taking offense or anything, and I don't hate their team by any means. I'm a raised Rocket. Evan
Bird is very stubborn and will be disappointed at notgetting anything of value for Artest. I don't think that he will accept pennies on the dollar for him, so ROn will remain a Pacer. unfortunately (and I am a Pacer fan)
Dosent the NBA punish players if they are charged with a crime I mean convicted of a crime (something major of coarse on a speeding ticket). IF Oneal and Co get convicted could they face additional suspensions?
Of all the options you mentioned I would say Atlanta or New Orleans would seem the most likely destinations. However, right now I really don’t think anyone is really that interested, I’m sure that will change once this blows over a bit.
As a Boston fan, I'd love to see Artest in green at the right price. Ainge is great at obtaining good players whose stocks are low (Ricky Davis being one of several). But, "the negativity in this town that sucks," and Ainge and Artest would never hear the end of it from the awful Boston sports media.
