<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indiana Pacers are closer to dealing Ron Artest and getting a player to help their struggling team. "We're closer than we were," Indiana president of basketball operations Larry Bird said Tuesday. "To say we're going to do something today, well, that's not going to happen." Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, said "a deal is imminent, almost as soon as possible." Artest was a key component to a team that was expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference crown. He led the league in steals and was the Pacers' second-leading scorer at 19.4 points a game before being deactivated after publicly requesting a trade in early December. In five years with the Pacers, Artest was an All-Star once and was the NBA's defensive player of the year in 2003-04. Bird said the Pacers had been interested in Corey Maggette of the Los Angeles Clippers, but there was "no question" that Maggette's sprained left foot affected the process. Maggette averaged 21.7 points in 13 games before getting injured in early December. The Timberwolves were among many teams that have inquired about Artest and were thought to be a prime candidate to be involved in a trade. But talks between Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale and Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh have slowed of late. Jermaine O'Neal, the Pacers' leading scorer, has said some players might be worried about getting traded along with Artest, and it might be affecting their play. The Pacers have lost four of their last five games, including Monday to the Atlanta Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record. Bird dismissed that idea, saying there's always a chance a player can be traded. "I don't believe that," Bird said. "How can they be affected? It's the same thing every year." </div> Source After losing to the Hawks I certainly hope some urgency to get a deal done has reached Bird & Walsh. The Pacers have gone from the 4th spot to the 6th spot, and the 76ers are only a game back from them.
I hope the Peja/Artest deal gets done soon, or atleast a deal shipping Artest outta Indiana so they can get back on track and be a good team again. Artest is causing too many distractions, I think if he does one more thing stupid/ignorant Ima have to go with Magic and say he shouldnt be in the League in a few years, until then Hail Ron Ron.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">January 24, 2006 -- I have it on excellent authority the Pacers and Kings are exceedingly close to swapping Ron Artest (three more years after this on his contract with a right to opt out after two) for Peja Stojakovic, who has the freedom to opt out after this season or play out the next. Then again, let me put it another way: The two teams are as close as my Paper Clips were to acquiring Artest for Corey Maggette before an Indiana doctor decided the swingman's left ankle was too great a risk. According to three sources, it's strictly Sacramento's call; the Pacers are agreeable and ready to deal, and are waiting for the Kings to make up their mind. </div> Artest-for-Peja Getting Close What a ripoff it would be if throughout all these rumored trades, the original deal involving Peja & Artest takes place. I'm looking to be surprised.
