Artest to Pacers: Trade me

Agent: Artest convinced he's done in Indiana
By CLIFF BRUNT, Associated Press Writer
December 28, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Ron Artest has accepted that he's played his last game for the Indiana Pacers, his agent said.

Artest went public nearly three weeks ago with his desire to be traded, then backpedaled and apologized to his teammates and to management in hopes of staying with the team. But his campaign to stay seemed to end after Pacers president Larry Bird told The Indianapolis Star on Monday that he felt "betrayed" by Artest.

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"After Larry Bird's statements, we realize that this wound is unhealable," Mark Stevens, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The Pacers welcomed Artest back after his suspension for last season's brawl with Detroit Pistons fans that cost him 73 regular-season games and the playoffs.

Artest said during the offseason that his goal was to help the Pacers to a championship this season, and he wasn't concerned with individual goals. He changed his tune during this season's early weeks by saying he wasn't getting enough shots. He also said that his past haunts him in Indianapolis and the team would be better off without him.

Bird called Artest, the NBA leader in steals per game and Indiana's second-leading scorer at 19 points per game, a "top 12 player in the league." The 6-foot-7, 260-pound forward is a former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. But Bird said Artest's public request for a trade was too much for Indiana to overlook.

Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Wednesday the team had narrowed its options down from about 10 teams this week. He wouldn't say when a trade would occur.

Artest has been inactive since his trade request, which came after he was injured against Dallas on Dec. 6.

"I'm not putting a timetable on it," Walsh said. "These things aren't that easy to work out."

Stevens said Bird and Walsh control Artest's future.

"There is a large interest in him. However, it has to be a glove," Stevens said. "It has to fit for the Pacers. We're just waiting to sit down and have a meeting of the minds."

In the meantime, Artest is working out and spending time with his family in case he has to make a quick move.

Stevens said though he understands the Pacers' desire to trade Artest, he's disappointed that his client's apologies to teammates and management didn't change the situation.

"What's more complicated is when you feel sorrowful for the things you have said and there's no room for amends," Stevens said. "Now, we're moving past that."

Looks like the black Einstein finally figured out they're not keeping him around.

Stevens said though he understands the Pacers' desire to trade Artest, he's disappointed that his client's apologies to teammates and management didn't change the situation.

"What's more complicated is when you feel sorrowful for the things you have said and there's no room for amends," Stevens said. "Now, we're moving past that."

I like that, the idea that "sorry" fixes everything. Never mind how they've put up with all the issues with benefit of the doubt and defending him to the hilt.

I haev to admit, I get most of my information at realgm.com.
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that's disappointing. i actually thought you had some sense about the game but really you're just some plaguerizer that's really low brow using other people's posts as your arguments

i don't believe in an infallable "inside source". the media/beat writers do give a lot of misinformation

unless it's the GM announcing the trade, it's all really just speculation

Alright, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I "plaguerized" and I'll never do it to you again. I didn't know it was concerned plaquerization (is that word?), but I'll take your word for it.

Anyways, my inside sources are telling me that Artest wants to play in Minnesota.

i apologize too.. the word is actually plagiarize. so that's makes you a plagiarizer [/quote]

http://www.probasketballnews.com/pbnnews_1229.html

Source: Artest looks to be bound for L.A.

By Sam Amico

Dec. 28, 2005

Indiana is nearing a three-team trade that would send swingman Ron Artest to the Los Angeles Lakers, a league source has told ProBasketballNews.com.

Meanwhile, Lakers forward Devean George would end up in Indiana.

The third team involved in the proposed trade is the Toronto Raptors, according to the source. The Raptors would send Jalen Rose to Los Angeles -- and in return receive Pacers forward Austin Croshere and at least one player from the Lakers.

The source added that George and an undetermined player from the Raptors -- or perhaps a draft pick -- would be to dealt to the Pacers.

"Basically, it's Artest for Devean George, with the Raptors getting involved to make it work financially," the source said. "When and if it happens, this will be a trade that consists of plenty of throw-ins."

Three weeks ago, Artest told the Indianapolis Star that he wanted to be traded. He later apologized to his teammates and told management he would like to remain with the team. But Pacers president Larry Bird told The Indianapolis Star on Monday that he felt "betrayed" by Artest, and said the Pacers will indeed trade him.

Artest has been inactive since his comments about wanting to be traded, which came after he was injured against Dallas on Dec. 6. Since then, the Pacers have been flooded with trade requests.

Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh told the Associated Press on Wednesday the team had narrowed its options down from about 10 teams this week, but did not indicate when a trade might occur.

Artest averaged 19.4 points and 4.9 rebounds through 16 games this season. He was suspended for 73 games last year after the well-documented brawl during a game in Detroit

Croshere is averaging 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Pacers, while Rose is scoring 9.6 points in just 25 minutes per game -- his lowest averages in both categories in nine seasons.

George is also near his career lows in scoring (5.6 ppg) and field-goal percentage (38 percent).

The source said he was not given a timetable as to when the proposed trade might take place. "I hear they are very close to finalizing everything, he said, "but it sounds like there are a few kinks that still need to be worked out."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wow, if this is true....

That would be awesome

Why would Indiana do that?

the only player id want from lakers is Sasha Vujacic

Why would Indiana do that?

To get George (a backup plan if Granger doesn't pan out) and Toronto's first round pick. I have to say it once more, just in case you missed that one:

TORONTO. PICK. FIRST ROUND. TORONTO.

Indiana wouldn't do that. I hope not.
I'm still expecting Odom for Artest.

the only player id want from lakers is Sasha Vujacic

Rod??? IS THAT YOU?

Seriously, if I were Cupcake or any other GM in the NBA I would call Babcock daily and offer him absurd trades such as 'Kwame for Villaneua', 'Vujacic for Bosh', 'Ron Mercer for Graham'. You know there's a 50% chance he'll bite on one of them.

If we can get the Raptors first rounder, I'd take it.

If we can get the Raptors first rounder, I'd take it.

I doubt it, Babcock realizes that our first round pick is going to be high this year, so there is almost no chance of getting that.

Our pick from Denver on the other hand, is more expendable but you'll need to give up a lot to get that as well.

Then again, I always feel uncertain when a trade is mentioned with the Raptors. God knows what this man is up to.

i hope thi is true and this will happen

I heard the Timberwolves have offered Eddie Griffin, Michael Olowokandi and Rashad McCants for Ron Artest. As much as I want Aretst, I don't want to part with Eddie Griffin. I mean, this guy got his first start of the year last year and got 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. He is getting over 2bpg and he barely plays (20mpg). This guy is a stud. And the way him and Garnett fed off each other, I don't know if I want to deal that.

Not to mention, we would have basically no big men left. We would have Garnett, Madsen, Skita and Dwyane Jones.

already riding the Griffin hobby horse, Riot?

yeh i know Griffin's always had the talent and the Minnesota coaching staff needs to play him more

I'm rooting for him to do well but i'd very much like to see Griffin do damage against a stronger frontcourt. Seriously- Seattle's big men suck ass

Anyway- i'd like to see Artest and Bryant on the same team. Artest broke Jordan's Ribs in a scrimmage, I'd love to hear/see what he would do to Bryant in practive when he finds out Bryant is taking all the shots

Great deal for the Lakers if that's the final deal, they don't even have to give up Odom. Indiana have already indicated they don't expect to get a player of Artest's calibre in return and while I usually think that's a mistake, they don't seem to be missing him too much and a lottery pick would soften the blow. As has been mentioned a couple of times their hands are also tied in regards to his contract as well.

already riding the Griffin hobby horse, Riot?

yeh i know Griffin's always had the talent and the Minnesota coaching staff needs to play him more

I'm rooting for him to do well but i'd very much like to see Griffin do damage against a stronger frontcourt. Seriously- Seattle's big men suck ass

Anyway- i'd like to see Artest and Bryant on the same team. Artest broke Jordan's Ribs in a scrimmage, I'd love to hear/see what he would do to Bryant in practive when he finds out Bryant is taking all the shots

I've been a fan of him since last year when he was with the club. He has the talent but he has always seemed inconsistent. He got his first start and he dominated out there with Garnett. They feed off each other. I hope to see him start more often. He has the talent, no question about that.

How is Rose's contract going to affect the Lakers? I thought they were over the cap and they bring in Rose and Artest

I suppose it's the Lakers, they have the right to anything...

I think they're willing to take Rose's contract because it ends in two years.

Just reported on am 570, they said the trade MIGHT happen tomorrow.

Indy Star reporter Mark Montieth was on WNDE 1260 radio in Indianapolis this afternoon and said that the report about Ron Artest and Jalen Rose going to the Lakers is not likely and that it was a case of "poor journalism."
Montieth went on to say that a trade with Denver was more likely, with Nene being the centerpiece of the deal. It sounds like Artest will be moved in the next two to three days, but Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird aren't about to tip their hand as to what they are working on. As for the Jalen and Artest to the Lakers story, it's still a possibility, but it doesn't sound probable as of right now. If nothing else, it sure livened up the basketball world today. Dec. 29 - 4:37 pm et

s.o.w.w.i.e.

riot- they better start Griffin again. but then again you can't trust Casey. as you know he sat him even though Kandi was out.

Too bad for the Lakers. Would have been a steal.

I don't think it would've done the team much good. Rose is known cancer, not to mention his big ass contract & Artest, well, Artest is great and all, but the guy's just plain whack.

My "sources" say that Lamar Odom has been offered. However, it would probably be Artest+Foster, Artest+Anthony Johnson, or something like that. At the worst it would probably be Artest+Tinsley, but I would be shocked if something like that happened.

It can't be Artest for Odom straight up whatever the case is though.