Artest to Pacers: Trade me

[$Chris Bosh$]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... /512100493

Exclusive interview
Artest to Pacers: Trade me
'I think they will be a better team without me'
Injured forward Ron Artest wants to return to the court, but not to the Indiana Pacers.
In a 20-minute interview Saturday, Artest for the first time publicly said he wants to be traded. He calmly described the issues he has with his role on the team, his head coach and his past, and said the team would be better off without him.

"I still think my past haunts me here," Artest said. "I think somewhere else I'm starting fresh. I'm coming in with baggage but people already know about it and how I'm going to be. Either they're going to be for me or they're not going to trade for me. Here I think my past haunts me.
"I think they will be a better team without me."
Coach Rick Carlisle called his forward "one of the elite talents in the league."
"You never want to lose someone like that," Carlisle said Saturday.
The Pacers lost Artest for 73 games after the Nov. 19 brawl last season. They stuck with him even though he said his suspension essentially ruined their season. Now the Pacers might be forced to trade him in order to salvage an already trying season.
"I think I cause a lot of problems here," said Artest, who has missed the past two games with a wrist injury. "If the trade rumors, if there is any truth -- maybe it won't be a bad thing. They probably could win more games without me."
Team President Larry Bird was scouting in Europe and could not be reached for comment. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh was surprised by Artest's request and said the franchise would decide the next step.
"I've never heard him say anything before," said Walsh, who acquired Artest in a trade in 2002. "He hasn't talked to me, and I see him every day."
Walsh called this latest development a distraction and chided Artest's handling of the situation.
"He can always come up and talk to me or Larry Bird," Walsh said. "From here on out, I expect Ronnie to be a professional. . . . (This) isn't the best way to get a trade done."
Until Saturday, Artest's season had been relatively stress-free. He remains one of the team's hardest workers. He hasn't irritated game officials and has reached out more to teammates off the court.
It's on the court that he's had problems fitting in with Carlisle's system.
Artest is second on the team in shot attempts and scoring at 19.4 points, but he thinks his style disrupts the offense.
"I'm so demanding of the ball. It's not my fault," he said. "Every time somebody is on me it's a mismatch. It messes up the offense. I like Coach (Carlisle) as a person, but I don't like playing for Coach. I like my team, though."
The Pacers run a structured offense in which Carlisle calls out most plays. That frustrates Artest, who has complained about the system in the past. Artest also took issue with practices. He thinks they're too soft.
"Don't get it twisted. He's a very good coach," Artest said. "He knows what he's doing. I personally don't like playing for him. I would not want to see him get fired for me after all the immaturity I've been through with this organization."
Getting offers for Artest won't be difficult -- Artest is a former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. But getting equal value in return could be. Artest makes $6.5 million this season, paltry by All-Star standards. Because of the salary cap, NBA trades are as much about matching salaries as swapping talent. Most players of Artest's ability make much more money, meaning the Pacers won't get a player of his caliber unless they include other Pacers in the deal.
What teams interest Artest?
His hometown New York Knicks.
"If I go to the West Coast, I would come back to New York after my contract is up," Artest said. "I would go to Cleveland. I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind LeBron James. There's a lot of players I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind. If it was a perfect world, I would be going to New York."
Artest seeks a system in which he can score more, which would lead to a bigger contract when his expires in 2008. He has a player option for $8.5 million for the 2008-09 season.
"Here I don't think I'm going to have a chance to maximize my opportunity for my potential," he said. "When I first got here, all I wanted to do was play defense. I never really cared about offense, but what I see is players like Kobe (Bryant), Tracy (McGrady), (Gilbert) Arenas and Jermaine (O'Neal) getting the opportunity to maximize their potential on the court and to get paid. I'm out of my character a little bit here.
"I don't think I'm going to maximize my opportunity just playing defense. I have to show I'm one of the premier players on offense on the wing. So when it's that time, there's no question what type of player I am."
Artest said he will take a few more days to decide when he is ready to return from his wrist injury.
But the question is: Will he be a Pacer when he returns?

[Cable]

I did not see that coming. I guess I understand him though. Let's see what Indy thinks ...

[Malfa]

im crying

[cyanide]

Whatever happened to the, "I'm going to make it up to the team. I'm not satisfied until I win a championship for the Pacers." I think I'm starting to dislike Ron Artest

Same here, I'd like to see what Indy will say about his beloved player.

[J@3]

This is surprising... anyways come to the Lakers Ron. You can attack Jack Nicholson all you like and he won't even mind.

At least he's honest, I'm not really a fan of Artest but I do appreciate the honesty. He could've just said "There's some issues" and that'd be that. I'm glad he clarified it.

I think the Knicks definitely have the leverage to get him... they've got some big expiring (I think) contracts, and would probably even take on someone like Croshere or Bender aswell.

[Null17]

What's up with the mood swings?

[$Chris Bosh$]

wouldnt be suprised to see the cavs involved since steve a smith (not sure if hes reliable) said if he would be traded clevland would be 1 on his list


a hughes for artest with other stuff included by both teams

[Riot]

I believe New York is #1 on Artest's list, but he did say he wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind Lebron.

[John WB]

"If I go to the West Coast, I would come back to New York after my contract is up," Artest said. "I would go to Cleveland. I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind LeBron James. There's a lot of players I wouldn't mind coming off the bench behind. If it was a perfect world, I would be going to New York."

If he keeps saying things like that, he'll quickly be my favorite player.

[Matt]

Pacers would ideally want to trade him West.....i don't see how he could go to Cleveland

[Rip32]

I hate that little bitch, ive heard Peja for Artest trades but I dunno.

[Andrew]

Count me in as someone else who didn't see this one coming. I too admire the honesty and refusal to dance around the issue but it's still a little puzzling. I would've thought he'd show more committment to the Pacers given how they stood by him last year.

[ShAuN]

I think Danny Ainge is gonna go after him. Maybe Pierce for him. I know Pierce is having a great year, but obviously the Celts arent winning.

[Riot]

Kandi and Hassell for Artest

We'll even throw in Skita

[Amphatoast]

good chance he might go to NY..
they need a SF.. he is that
Larry Brown likes defense.. he got that
i guess if he comes here maybe people will forget the whole weis selection..

[Malfa]

omg i want him to go cleveland

[#12]

who wouldnt get confused if you hear that you are getting shipped? i think ron artest did the right thing by saying trade me if you want to

[cyanide]

I wouldn't jump the gun just yet. I'm sure the Pacer organization is going to have a talk with him and potentiallly everything will be back to normal as if nothing happened.

[Riot]

Are the Pacers last years Wolves?

[Indy]

This is the most immature move by Ron yet. When you want a trade you go to the guys who can do something about it, not to a reporter. You don't take it public and lower your trade value if you want out. Donnie Walsh has always taken care of guys and accomadated them when they ask for a trade the right way- privately. This is worse then running in to the stands because he had time to calculate this move and he still decided to go ahead with this bullshit.

I just got home from the win against Memphis and to be honest, Fuck you Ron. What exactly are you interested in here? You want to be recognized as a top player? You want more scoring opportunities? Fine, we'll ship your ass somewhere were you won't play on TNT and ESPN and get the chance to shut down LeBron James on national TV. We'll send you somewhere where you can shoot all you want, and everyone will talk about how good Ron Artest is. But you won't be a champion. With or without Ron, we'll be champions in June.

That said, I'd love to see a deal get done for either Shane Battier or Rashard Lewis. I know Battier is probably a stretch, but didn't Lewis say something along the lines of wanting out? I would absolutley love that.

Just please, please don't trade for Peja, I'll absolutley kill myself.

EDIT: You know what? I have more to add.

The thing that pisses me off the most about this is that the Pacers organization and fans have been so loyal to Ron, giving him chance after chance, allowing him to continue to play here after arguably ruining this franchise's greatest player's chance of winning a championship last year, and this is how he repays us. We could have traded him in the offseason or cut him for conduct detrimental to the team, but we didn't. Larry, Donnie and Rick had trust in him that he was commited to winning this season and that he would be on his best behavior. So far, he has done both on the court, and I have been extremely proud. Zero technical fouls, but still the same intensity. I just want to say it one more time, because I have been frustrated with him before, but never pissed like I am now: Fuck You Ron Artest.

On the other hand, this could be a blessing in disguise. Since Ron has been out we have dismantled two very good teams in routes. Stephen Jackson has turned around his season in two games. Its very possible that SJax and Ron can't really play together, because Stephen really does need to play the 3 position. However, I'd much rather just bring Steve off the bench then have to trade Artest...

Also, maybe he hasn't ruined his trade value COMPLETELY, even though he did this the total and complete wrong way. If we can snag Rashard Lewis, I will be thrilled.

Again, on the other hand, he could have a conversation with Rick, Larry and Donnie and change his mind, although after this, I'm not sure I'd want him back. There aren't many people who are on his side on this one.

[Jing]

hm interesting. he wants to be traded. suprising

[kinokong]

y are there so many rumors for peja. if i was looking for a championship, the last person id be trading for is peja(webber not too far behind)...lewis makes sense but so does battier... grizzlies are sizzling right now and jerry west might be willing to take on a chance for artest.... adding artest to that mix would be fucking insane, they'd be running on all cylinders come playoffs....

[beau_boy04]

any chances that he might go to Cleveland? maybe a Hudges for Artest might work.

I'd play him as a PF and SF while Lebron alternates the SF and SG.

[kinokong]

the last thing indy wants to do is help cleveland...

[[L3]1101]

Hughs is getting paid almost twice as ron artest. If they do the trade, cleavleland will be out of SGs. I don't think it's gonna happen. New York is a possible place, but Indianan will get pretty much nothing in return. Maybe Q?? Lewis is a great possibility, but i don't know if Seattle is willing to take the risk. After the 15th, we'll probably see some trades, and Artest could be one them.