<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Pacers are no closer to doing anything with the Nuggets, Warriors or Timberwolves than they were 2 weeks ago, but I'm hearing that the Rockets -- who don't have anything outside of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady that interests the Pacers -- are trying to find a player that Indiana does like. The end result would be a three- or four-way trade that would bring Artest to Houston.</div> source: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=10449 (subscription required) what do you guys think? complete hogwash or possibility? i just don't see too many players on our roster who are desirable to other teams. My only guess is a bunch of our expiring contracts and we end up with Artest and Croshere's fat contract.
Artest's contract is actually pretty minimal for the caliber of player he is. However, he'd be third option on this team, and that's a role I don't know if he'd like to accept. However, not many teams can offer him a role as a secondary scorer. Croshere can be the Scott Padgett guy over again but his contract is just ugly. Unless we can unload Swift or Howard's contracts in the process, I wouldn't like to see this trade go down.
A while back I think I said that I wouldn't Artest on my team (cause he's a headcase), but I think a headcase is exactly what this team needs.....we need that Vernon Maxwell type of player who will get in a guys face, I'm all for this trade (if there's any truth to it)
I like this to JVG might be able to handle Artest and we need someone to get phisical out there and rough up the other team plus we'd improve tremendously on d
If we really want to acquire Artest we have to give up alot if we also want to keep Yao and T-mac... Anyway, it's may be a championship step for the Rockets, becouse of that i would like to give-up some of our good players like Swift and Wesley...
If the Rockets can somehow manage to get Artest without giving up McGrady or Yao, I think they should go for it. My guess is that it would probably require giving up Luther Head or Swift (our most valuable commodities other than the big 2), but I'd still make the deal. There are drawbacks, however. It's not clear how long Artest would be willing to stay in Houston, and they probably wouldn't be able to make a playoff run this year with him anyways.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">However, he'd be third option on this team, and that's a role I don't know if he'd like to accept. </div> Given that not being the focus in Indy is one of his complaints, it's fair to say he wouldn't accept the role of third banana, especially when one of those he'd be behind would be Yao.
weird persons like artest would give you a surprise one night. when he throw a punch in some1's face, then you lose a player. artest is a great player but it's a risk for any team to hv him on roster.
i don't know... i would not give up luther... hes too valuable and he tons of potential.... if we give swift... we would be like tanking the season.. hoping to get a high draft pick so we can pick a pf... i don't realy know... but for one thing.. i'm not buying a ticket soo close where artest can run to u and punch
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">Given that not being the focus in Indy is one of his complaints, it's fair to say he wouldn't accept the role of third banana, especially when one of those he'd be behind would be Yao.</div> Thing is though, the teams after him (Golden State, Denver) won't offer him any more touches than Indiana did. It was a real stupid decision to comment on his lack of touches as no team is going to trade for him as their first option on offense. Eventually, he's going to have to accept that he won't be anything more than 2nd option no matter which team he goes to, and that's why I think Houston might be in the mix. However, I wouldn't want him because in two seasons, he'd be wanting out and complaining about his shots again. As for Head, he's good and all, but it's hard to imagine him any more than a solid pro, someone like Cuttino Mobley. Head won't be a superstar in this league, but he'll last.
I've heard many things. My sources include the radio, many articles in newspaper in indiana and ohio(best friends go to both schools), and logic. Radio reported Steve Francis wants back in Houston and the Artest deal might bring him hear with a 3 team swap including Orlando, Indiana, and Houston. Could be a rumor, but I wouldn't mind. As for Artest, my friend in indiana told me last night that the following teams are out of the running because of lack of Pacer interest: Clippers(unless they give both maggette and wilcox), Lakers, and Boston. He said that nothing has been said about Golden State yet but doesn't think it will happen. He said Minnesota is the most likely place he'll be, but told me Houston has been mentioned, but to a lesser extent than the others. As for the logic, so many teams are not giving in to Pacer wants so that leaves teams like houston to offer something and I doubt he'll end up in Houston, but it is always a possibility.
The Pacers and LA had a deal almost set up but Corey Maggette failed hs physical, so yes, the Clippers are not in the running anymore. If the Francis reports are true, then it could be a very interesting three-team trade. To say the truth, I'd like to see Francis in Houston more than Artest. Francis is desperate to return to Houston and his play in the second half of his last season with the Rockets was very good. Having a trio of Francis/McGrady/Yao could be great, but to get him I think we'll have to give up at least Alston and/or Swift.
wow... if we get steveie back... thats going to be great... casue stevie has been pretty sad after the cuttino trade... and hes like basicaly giving up right now... steve would be cheered up to be with yao and moochie again.. and even more thrilled to have tracy as his team... but i doubt it would happen...
But would Francis be less of a ballhog than he was before and also accept he would be the 3rd offensive option? I have serious doubts.
i dont know about Artest fitting in with McGrady and Yao. I can't image Yao gel with Artest? who knows anything can happen.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KayJayNZ:</div><div class="quote_post">But would Francis be less of a ballhog than he was before and also accept he would be the 3rd offensive option? I have serious doubts.</div> If he's that desperate to come back to Houston, I'm sure he would be the 12th man if he has to be for the team to win. Although I don't see him putting up with it for the long term, having that trio of All-Stars will definitely make us serious threats in the playoffs, and probably powerhouses next season. It's a very intrigung prospect.
kayjaynz.. he would be realy happy to be out of orlando and going back to houston the first place... he was never a ball hog in the 2nd half of his last season with us... his talents are like wat we need for tracy... cause tracy is having to load this team... i don't know if we have anybody intrests indiana though... maybe anderson or wesly since they both shoot the 3 well.. and a point guard like moochie... or maybe they want swift... Steve/Lucas anderson or welsy/ barry t-mac/ bowen ( i no.. i hate him too but oh well) Howard/Swift Yao/Mutombp
Artest, would actually be a perfect fit for this team. JVG's team last year compared to this year lacks one thing and that is bulldogs that get into the face of defenders. Last year it was Sura and James, but with both out we have guys that are willing to gaurd guys on the dribble and not up close. Artest provides us that. Defensively we would be unstoppable, but offensively is the only problem. If Artest can't live with being a third option than oh well because he knows as well as anybody that if he lands in Houston, we are as good as anyone in the league if chemistry works out.
