With the NBA trade deadline less than a month away, the rumor mill is cranking up again. Ron Artest, Antoine Walker, Latrell Sprewell, Gary Payton, Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall and Eddie Jones are just some of the bigger names being mentioned. Whether any will actually change uniforms is pure speculation, but it makes for fun reading.
Perhaps the most intriguing new report involves Artest, the Pacers' suspended All-Star swingman. According to the Chicago Tribune, there has been talk of a deal in which Indiana would send Artest and Scot Pollard to the Hawks for Walker. Unfortunately, this trade is impossible because the salaries don't match up. It would take Austin Croshere instead of Pollard to make it work, and that's something the Hawks probably wouldn't do.
However, in some ways an Artest-Walker deal would make some sense. The Pacers would get another needed scorer in Walker, and since he is a free agent after the season, Indiana could let him go at that time if it doesn't work out. Meanwhile, the Hawks could get a player in Artest who won't cost them anything this season (since he's not getting paid while on suspension) and seems to fit in well with coach Mike Woodson's long-term vision of a defensive-minded athletic team
do you guys think there is any chance of this happening?
I hope it doesnt, because i dont think Antoine is that good that he is worth getting rid of artest for.
it is only one year, i think the pacers should hold on to him.
