http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...TS04/601060493
Another town, another Artest trade rumor
January 6, 2006
Pacers encounter speculation on future teammates wherever they stop
By Mark Montieth
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Ron Artest isn't traveling with the Indiana Pacers on their four-game Western trip that stopped here Thursday.He's with them in spirit, though. The media insist upon it.
Three of the Pacers' opponents on the trip are rumored to have serious interest in Artest, and the other was a rumored trade partner two summers ago.
That means Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is sure to be asked about Artest just about everywhere he turns before the Pacers return home following Monday's game in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
Denver's media, who have been awash in rumors since Artest made his trade request Dec. 10, were waiting for Carlisle following the Pacers' morning shootaround Wednesday.
"You know we've been down the road of talking a lot about this," Carlisle said, echoing his stock response. "We have to focus on the guys who are here and will play. It's important to focus on the guys that we have.
"The Artest situation will resolve itself. The only thing I'll say is I'm disappointed the way it went down because I'm one of his biggest supporters."
Media speculation in Denver has focused on injured power forward Nene, although some reports claim he is no longer available in a trade.
Carlisle had another media horde waiting for him before Thursday's game against Golden State at The Arena in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors are perhaps the most-rumored destination for Artest, though team officials have not commented publicly.
They are a logical fit. Chris Mullin, who directs their basketball operations, played for the Pacers all three seasons that Pacers president Larry Bird coached the team. He also played at St. John's, as Artest did for two seasons, and knows him from his summer workouts on campus.
A story in Thursday's edition of the Contra Costa Times threw out the rumor that the Pacers are ready to deal Artest to the Warriors, but are waiting for Thursday's game to pass so they wouldn't have to play against him until the Warriors play in Indianapolis in February.
Speculation involving the Warriors has included power forward Troy Murphy, small forward Mike Dunleavy, swingman Mickael Pietrus and rookie Ike Diogu.
Sacramento, where the Pacers play Sunday, has not been mentioned in Artest-related rumors. That hasn't stopped media speculation, however. A spokesman for KHTK, the Kings flagship station, said Thursday it planned to report that the Pacers, Denver and Golden State would complete a three-way trade today. Artest and Scot Pollard were to go to Denver, with the incoming players uncertain.
That was news to Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh.
"There's no truth to that," he said in a telephone interview from his home, adding that no deal was imminent.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson has offered high praise for Artest, but his team is not thought to have enough assets to make a deal for him.
Minnesota owner Glen Taylor, meanwhile, said Wednesday he is pursing Artest, but has not made a formal offer.
Taylor said he believes the Timberwolves are just one player short of resuming their status as a contender in the West. He did not say who he might be willing to trade for Artest, however. Minnesota's small forward, Wally Szczerbiak, is paid $10 million, $3.2 million more than Artest, so the Pacers would have to include another player in a trade to match salaries.
"The pros are that Artest would give you an offensive and defensive player all in one," Taylor told Minneapolis reporters. "He's probably one of the elite players, especially defensively, but he can score also. He's probably a more physical player than this team has had in quite some time.
"The cons would be, does he fit in with the team? One doesn't know."
Nor does any other owner. But someday soon, presumably, one will take the plunge, make a deal and hope it works out.
"He's a top-10 or -12 player, a bona fide All-Star and a lockdown defender," Carlisle said. "Somebody is going to get a great player and a difference-maker."
The name game
Here are some of the names that have been floated as possible trades for the Pacers' Ron Artest:
Denver Nuggets
• Forward Nene.
Golden State Warriors
• Power forward Troy Murphy.
• Small forward Mike Dunleavy.
• Swingman Mickael Pietrus.
• Rookie Ike Diogu.
Minnesota Timberwolves
• Small forward Wally Szczerbiak.
Another town, another Artest trade rumor
January 6, 2006
Pacers encounter speculation on future teammates wherever they stop
By Mark Montieth
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Ron Artest isn't traveling with the Indiana Pacers on their four-game Western trip that stopped here Thursday.He's with them in spirit, though. The media insist upon it.
Three of the Pacers' opponents on the trip are rumored to have serious interest in Artest, and the other was a rumored trade partner two summers ago.
That means Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is sure to be asked about Artest just about everywhere he turns before the Pacers return home following Monday's game in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
Denver's media, who have been awash in rumors since Artest made his trade request Dec. 10, were waiting for Carlisle following the Pacers' morning shootaround Wednesday.
"You know we've been down the road of talking a lot about this," Carlisle said, echoing his stock response. "We have to focus on the guys who are here and will play. It's important to focus on the guys that we have.
"The Artest situation will resolve itself. The only thing I'll say is I'm disappointed the way it went down because I'm one of his biggest supporters."
Media speculation in Denver has focused on injured power forward Nene, although some reports claim he is no longer available in a trade.
Carlisle had another media horde waiting for him before Thursday's game against Golden State at The Arena in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors are perhaps the most-rumored destination for Artest, though team officials have not commented publicly.
They are a logical fit. Chris Mullin, who directs their basketball operations, played for the Pacers all three seasons that Pacers president Larry Bird coached the team. He also played at St. John's, as Artest did for two seasons, and knows him from his summer workouts on campus.
A story in Thursday's edition of the Contra Costa Times threw out the rumor that the Pacers are ready to deal Artest to the Warriors, but are waiting for Thursday's game to pass so they wouldn't have to play against him until the Warriors play in Indianapolis in February.
Speculation involving the Warriors has included power forward Troy Murphy, small forward Mike Dunleavy, swingman Mickael Pietrus and rookie Ike Diogu.
Sacramento, where the Pacers play Sunday, has not been mentioned in Artest-related rumors. That hasn't stopped media speculation, however. A spokesman for KHTK, the Kings flagship station, said Thursday it planned to report that the Pacers, Denver and Golden State would complete a three-way trade today. Artest and Scot Pollard were to go to Denver, with the incoming players uncertain.
That was news to Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh.
"There's no truth to that," he said in a telephone interview from his home, adding that no deal was imminent.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson has offered high praise for Artest, but his team is not thought to have enough assets to make a deal for him.
Minnesota owner Glen Taylor, meanwhile, said Wednesday he is pursing Artest, but has not made a formal offer.
Taylor said he believes the Timberwolves are just one player short of resuming their status as a contender in the West. He did not say who he might be willing to trade for Artest, however. Minnesota's small forward, Wally Szczerbiak, is paid $10 million, $3.2 million more than Artest, so the Pacers would have to include another player in a trade to match salaries.
"The pros are that Artest would give you an offensive and defensive player all in one," Taylor told Minneapolis reporters. "He's probably one of the elite players, especially defensively, but he can score also. He's probably a more physical player than this team has had in quite some time.
"The cons would be, does he fit in with the team? One doesn't know."
Nor does any other owner. But someday soon, presumably, one will take the plunge, make a deal and hope it works out.
"He's a top-10 or -12 player, a bona fide All-Star and a lockdown defender," Carlisle said. "Somebody is going to get a great player and a difference-maker."
The name game
Here are some of the names that have been floated as possible trades for the Pacers' Ron Artest:
Denver Nuggets
• Forward Nene.
Golden State Warriors
• Power forward Troy Murphy.
• Small forward Mike Dunleavy.
• Swingman Mickael Pietrus.
• Rookie Ike Diogu.
Minnesota Timberwolves
• Small forward Wally Szczerbiak.
Comment