http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_15469.shtml
LA HOOPS: Top Ten(ish) Destinations for Ron Artest
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Eric Pincus
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Dec 23, 2005, 13:46
With all the controversy surrounding Kobe Bryant and his 62-point performance, the Ron Artest pursuit has gone unaddressed recently in this space. As the holidays approach, certainly that self-imposed deadline would lead to a move by the Indiana Pacers, right? Their originally stated goal of moving him within 10 days has since elapsed, but certainly there’s no rush. With the team winning night in and night out and rookie Danny Granger a solid contributor off the bench, Artest may stay a Pacer through the New Year!
That said, there are a number of teams rumored to be in the Artest chase. The sense is that Al Harrington is Indiana's top choice, but that it would take a three-team trade with Atlanta to get it done as the Hawks supposedly have no interest in Artest for themselves.
Here's a ranking of where I think they stand - noting that I have not spoken directly to neither the Pacer organization nor most of the following teams:
1) Los Angeles Clippers - My original take was that they weren't even in the running. Be it a direct swap of Corey Maggette or a three-way with Chris Wilcox and filler (potentially the somewhat costly piece of Zeljko Rebraca), the Clippers may even be the favorite. Mike Dunleavy has had success dealing with volatile personalities, coaching the Portland TrailBlazers to game seven of the Western Conference Finals. Though I have a call into the Clippers, they have given me no reason to believe they are even considering Artest [ed. - Dunleavy confirmed to the press Thursday that they've had tallks with the Pacers about acquiring Artest]. Moving Maggette should be considered a long shot. I can verify that the Clippers are committed as an organization from the top down to make the playoffs this season. Losing five of their last six could be the added incentive to make a change.
2) Denver Nuggets - Although there have been hints that the Nuggets may have backed off Artest with thoughts of acquiring Al Harrington direct from Atlanta. A package of Nene, Earl Watson and possibly Voshon Lenard has been circulating since the day Artest made his trade demand. Some say the Hawks were the one to back out of the three-way.
3) Minnesota Timberwolves - The Wolves have a number of pieces that seem to fit the Pacer demands. Michael Olowokandi has an expiring contract. Rashad McCants is a young gun who could replace restricted free agent Fred Jones as the Pacers' next shooting guard prospect. Trenton Hassell may not be Ron Artest offensively, but he's one of the few players in the league who can slow down even the most potent scorers on the perimeter.
4) Los Angeles Lakers - Both Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant both had positive things to say about Artest recently. To put the Lakers this high makes a single assumption . . . that the team is willing to move Lamar Odom to get him. If this was ranked by desire, the Lakers and Wolves would probably be tied for first on this list. Unfortunately that has little bearing on the Pacers and their decision-making. LA has been said to have put out feelers everywhere for a third team, but to this point have not found anyone really willing to get involved unless Odom is the cornerstone. The Pacers may look at Odom at a reasonable talent for talent swap with Artest, but Odom makes a lot more money which goes against their stated salary goals. One rumor has the Lakers looking to acquire both Jalen Rose and Ron Artest in a three-way with Toronto, but that has not been verified. The Lakers have given no indication that they are even willing to part with Odom . . .
5) The Warriors have so many young pieces to deal; they have to be considered in the running. They have a rather large trade exception (~$5.3 million) which could help a complicated trade, but isn't enough to take Artest directly. Be it Ike Diogu, Andris Biedrins, Mickael Pietrus or others . . . the talent is there for a package. How about the intent?
6) Sacramento Kings - Bonzi Wells and Kevin Martin was one rumor before Wells was injured. Peja Stojakovic for Artest has been tossed around by the media since last year's All-Star Break. There doesn't seem to be a lot of momentum at this point for an Indiana\Sacramento swap, but who expected that mammoth Chris Webber deal last season?
7) Dallas Mavericks - There has been little to no buzz about Dallas' participation in the Artest hunt, but with Mark Cuban pulling the strings . . . the Mavericks should never be overlooked. Signs say they won't give up players like Devin Harris or Josh Howard, but Dallas is a factor until Artest is officially moved.
8) Seattle SuperSonics - According to Peter Vecsey they won't give up Nick Collison for Artest. Should that stance change, it sounds like the Sonics would be a front-runner. There are complications surrounding the contracts of Vladimir Radmanovic, Flip Murray and Reggie Evans since they're all on their one-year tenders. Since each has veto power over any trade, the Sonics are probably a long shot without Collison in the mix.
9) Toronto Raptors - Though the public stance from the Pacers has been to send Ron Artest to the Western Conference, the sudden about-face that had Artest rescinding his trade demand was said to have been inspired by information leaked to Artest that the Pacers were close to sending him to the Raptors.
10) Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks - Various teams mentioned as possible destinations, but none necessarily likely. Doesn’t it always seem like one team comes from out of nowhere in these sort of situations? Perhaps in this case that team is in this group . . .
The Bottom Line
Keep in mind that these are RUMORS mixed with OPINION. Unfortunately in this business the whole truth is rarely revealed.
Just how long this story will drag on is unknown. The Pacers can stall until the trade deadline in February. They can keep Artest until the summer. They can trade him before the Christmas Holiday.
Hopefully soon it will be over, regardless of where Artest lands . . .
The writer neglected to include the rumored trade with Washington: Artest for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins.
LA HOOPS: Top Ten(ish) Destinations for Ron Artest
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Eric Pincus
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Dec 23, 2005, 13:46
With all the controversy surrounding Kobe Bryant and his 62-point performance, the Ron Artest pursuit has gone unaddressed recently in this space. As the holidays approach, certainly that self-imposed deadline would lead to a move by the Indiana Pacers, right? Their originally stated goal of moving him within 10 days has since elapsed, but certainly there’s no rush. With the team winning night in and night out and rookie Danny Granger a solid contributor off the bench, Artest may stay a Pacer through the New Year!
That said, there are a number of teams rumored to be in the Artest chase. The sense is that Al Harrington is Indiana's top choice, but that it would take a three-team trade with Atlanta to get it done as the Hawks supposedly have no interest in Artest for themselves.
Here's a ranking of where I think they stand - noting that I have not spoken directly to neither the Pacer organization nor most of the following teams:
1) Los Angeles Clippers - My original take was that they weren't even in the running. Be it a direct swap of Corey Maggette or a three-way with Chris Wilcox and filler (potentially the somewhat costly piece of Zeljko Rebraca), the Clippers may even be the favorite. Mike Dunleavy has had success dealing with volatile personalities, coaching the Portland TrailBlazers to game seven of the Western Conference Finals. Though I have a call into the Clippers, they have given me no reason to believe they are even considering Artest [ed. - Dunleavy confirmed to the press Thursday that they've had tallks with the Pacers about acquiring Artest]. Moving Maggette should be considered a long shot. I can verify that the Clippers are committed as an organization from the top down to make the playoffs this season. Losing five of their last six could be the added incentive to make a change.
2) Denver Nuggets - Although there have been hints that the Nuggets may have backed off Artest with thoughts of acquiring Al Harrington direct from Atlanta. A package of Nene, Earl Watson and possibly Voshon Lenard has been circulating since the day Artest made his trade demand. Some say the Hawks were the one to back out of the three-way.
3) Minnesota Timberwolves - The Wolves have a number of pieces that seem to fit the Pacer demands. Michael Olowokandi has an expiring contract. Rashad McCants is a young gun who could replace restricted free agent Fred Jones as the Pacers' next shooting guard prospect. Trenton Hassell may not be Ron Artest offensively, but he's one of the few players in the league who can slow down even the most potent scorers on the perimeter.
4) Los Angeles Lakers - Both Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant both had positive things to say about Artest recently. To put the Lakers this high makes a single assumption . . . that the team is willing to move Lamar Odom to get him. If this was ranked by desire, the Lakers and Wolves would probably be tied for first on this list. Unfortunately that has little bearing on the Pacers and their decision-making. LA has been said to have put out feelers everywhere for a third team, but to this point have not found anyone really willing to get involved unless Odom is the cornerstone. The Pacers may look at Odom at a reasonable talent for talent swap with Artest, but Odom makes a lot more money which goes against their stated salary goals. One rumor has the Lakers looking to acquire both Jalen Rose and Ron Artest in a three-way with Toronto, but that has not been verified. The Lakers have given no indication that they are even willing to part with Odom . . .
5) The Warriors have so many young pieces to deal; they have to be considered in the running. They have a rather large trade exception (~$5.3 million) which could help a complicated trade, but isn't enough to take Artest directly. Be it Ike Diogu, Andris Biedrins, Mickael Pietrus or others . . . the talent is there for a package. How about the intent?
6) Sacramento Kings - Bonzi Wells and Kevin Martin was one rumor before Wells was injured. Peja Stojakovic for Artest has been tossed around by the media since last year's All-Star Break. There doesn't seem to be a lot of momentum at this point for an Indiana\Sacramento swap, but who expected that mammoth Chris Webber deal last season?
7) Dallas Mavericks - There has been little to no buzz about Dallas' participation in the Artest hunt, but with Mark Cuban pulling the strings . . . the Mavericks should never be overlooked. Signs say they won't give up players like Devin Harris or Josh Howard, but Dallas is a factor until Artest is officially moved.
8) Seattle SuperSonics - According to Peter Vecsey they won't give up Nick Collison for Artest. Should that stance change, it sounds like the Sonics would be a front-runner. There are complications surrounding the contracts of Vladimir Radmanovic, Flip Murray and Reggie Evans since they're all on their one-year tenders. Since each has veto power over any trade, the Sonics are probably a long shot without Collison in the mix.
9) Toronto Raptors - Though the public stance from the Pacers has been to send Ron Artest to the Western Conference, the sudden about-face that had Artest rescinding his trade demand was said to have been inspired by information leaked to Artest that the Pacers were close to sending him to the Raptors.
10) Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic and New York Knicks - Various teams mentioned as possible destinations, but none necessarily likely. Doesn’t it always seem like one team comes from out of nowhere in these sort of situations? Perhaps in this case that team is in this group . . .
The Bottom Line
Keep in mind that these are RUMORS mixed with OPINION. Unfortunately in this business the whole truth is rarely revealed.
Just how long this story will drag on is unknown. The Pacers can stall until the trade deadline in February. They can keep Artest until the summer. They can trade him before the Christmas Holiday.
Hopefully soon it will be over, regardless of where Artest lands . . .
The writer neglected to include the rumored trade with Washington: Artest for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins.
Comment