Would BK trade for Artest with the thought of

[Admin]

being able to re-sign Al in the offseason? Artest is bar none the best perimeter defender in the world and has a VERY underrated offensive game. I dont really like him as a person (from what I know about him) but I have to wonder if BK isnt concerned about losing his boy Al (who I dont think he wants to trade). If we traded Smoove for Artest, it would sure point to us wanting to start winning some games, it would give Woody a player that plays the type of game that he likes, plus it would give Artest the ability to come to an up and coming team where he wouldnt be "restricted" offensively like he is in Indy.

I just have to wonder about this as being a serious possiblity. I have very little doubt that Artest (as long as he remains stable) would make us a significantly better player who could get us over the hump in these close games and hopefully the expanded role he would take on here would make him want to stay here and winning would obviously make Al want to stay here.

With JJ, Artest, Al, ZaZa, and Chillz, plus Salim and Marvin off the bench we would have a hell of a squad for the future. Throw in another mid-first round pick in this years draft and a couple of ZaZa type signings (smart, young, affordable players) and we would definitely be in business.

Its a HUGE risk depending on Artest, but I think it would be worth it. He is just too incredible as a player to pass up if it only costs us a player who is 2-3 years from being a solid contributor to us.

[KB21]

As good as Ron can be, I think the risk in this instance is too great. By making a deal like that, BK would be sacraficing everything he has stood for up until this point just to appease a few fans that want nothing more than instant gratification.

I see no way Ron Artest stays in the long term plans of the team if a deal like this is made.

[Admin]

Well according to the latest news, Artest has said he will play anywhere now and all he wants is a more expanded role where he isnt restricted offensively. He is signed to an incredible deal and will be worth every penny it will cost to re-sign him in another year.

[jezmund]

If he is genuine in wanting a change of scenary to try and forget the past and become the player he can be then it doesn't sound so bad. Although, these players know how to talk to the media usually. Ron Artest is a big-time player on a big-time team. They were just showing stats on ESPN of when RA does play and when he doesn't. The Pacers are so much better WITH him. Averaged 100PPG and only gave up 89PPG with him = 11PPG differential. Without him it wasn't nearly that.

[Lascar78]

Yeah I'm with you. Generally speaking I'm against bringing nutjobs in. But artest is only making 6 mil this year, signed for two full seasons after this one. He is the best defender in the entire league, and can easily put up 20 points a game. He might be top 10 in the entire league if you consider his all around game and ignore his loose wires. If anyone's talent has ever justified taking on a nutcase, it's artest. And unlike guys like T.O., he never does anything intentionally to hurt his teammates. Reports are that he is a great teammate. The only ways that he's hurt his team is when he does something crazy and he gets suspended. But it seems that while he is still selfish, he is done acting up in serious ways. I don't think there will be any major Artest episodes. I think he wants to leave town because he wants to distane himself from the brawl and genuinely thinks the pacers would be better off without him. And he's probably right given what happenned there.

All that being said, I am not willing to trade Smoove. We have a surplus of forwards, and he is the only one I can really see becoming a 4. I would be willing to give up Al, possibly Al and Chill. We're going to lose Al regardless at some point IMO.

?Draft?

JJ/Salim

Artest/Marvin

Smith

Zaza

moving forward looks good to me.

I feel highly conflicted about this. I wouldn't want to have to make the decision right now, but I certainly wouldn't say no outright because of the risk associated. You can't build a winner without taking risks at some point.

[Lascar78]

Any takers for Artest?
Pacers say they will try to trade him

By Mark Montieth
mark.montieth@indystar.com

Al Harrington knows all too well what can happen when an NBA player demands a trade. And it's not always pretty.

Harrington, frustrated over his limited opportunities as a reserve, asked the Indiana Pacers for a trade following the 2003-04 season. He got it. To Atlanta, where he's getting all the opportunity a player could desire and is stuck with the NBA's worst team.
Had Ron Artest called his former teammate before going public with his trade request, he would have received a few earfuls of advice.
"If I was in his position, there's no way I'd ever want to leave Indiana," Harrington said in a telephone interview Monday evening. "No way in the world. To have the opportunity he had there and to be on a winning team, too? That's a no-brainer."
It's ironic, then, that Artest's wish to leave the Pacers could bring back Harrington. That, at least, is one of the more plausible scenarios as the Pacers begin their scavenger hunt for a suitable deal for their controversial All-Star forward.
Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Monday he'll try to grant Artest's request, but emphasized he'll remain selective. He might not be able to get equal value in return, but he'll insist on a trade that makes long-term sense.
"You can bet on that," he said.
The most logical step seems to be to try to trade Artest for a starting small forward. Walsh, however, said Stephen Jackson can make a short-term switch to small forward, as he did last season when Artest was suspended for the season's final 73 games, and that rookie Danny Granger shows promise as a long-term replacement. Those options will allow Walsh to consider players who play other positions, or to work out a package deal that includes several players.
"Whatever the best option is, that's what we'll go for," Walsh said. "You're always conscious of position and where you need help, but we have a pretty deep roster. Whatever the option is, if it's out there and it works for us, we'll take it."
Artest's salary of $6.8 million is low for a player of his caliber, which complicates the Pacers' challenge. If he is traded for one or more players, the incoming contracts would have to match his salary within 125 percent. Deals can be leveled with draft picks and/or cash.
Harrington is one of the few players reasonably close to Artest in talent who falls into that category. He's in the final year of the four-year contract extension he signed with the Pacers in October 2002, and while he has stated no public wish to leave Atlanta after this season, it's at least a strong possibility.
Atlanta, then, could get an All-Star under contract through the 2007-08 season for a player it might lose without compensation after this season. Artest has an option for the 2008-09 season and will almost certainly take it.
The Pacers, however, would risk losing Harrington after this season.
Harrington, who speaks almost daily with Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal, chose his words carefully when asked about the possibility of returning. But he wouldn't be opposed to it.
"I guess I'd embrace it and come in and play hard and play the best I could," said Harrington, who averages 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Hawks. "I'm not in control of that. But I wouldn't be mad, you know what I'm saying?
"It's not my choice. But Indiana's a great team and it would be a great opportunity."
Sacramento forward Peja Stojakovic has been mentioned in trade rumors for Artest in seasons past, although Walsh said Monday he has never attempted to move Artest. Stojakovic is known as a great shooter but a poor defender and rebounder. He has slumped this season, averaging 18 points on 43 percent shooting, but is a three-time All-Star and a career 40 percent 3-point shooter.
The Kings, meanwhile, are struggling at 9-12 and might want to upgrade their defense.
Another possibility in a one-for-one trade might be Dallas swingman Jerry Stackhouse , who played one season for Pacers coach Rick Carlisle in Detroit. Stackhouse, who hasn't played this season because of a sore knee, averaged 14.9 points off the Mavericks' bench last season.
The Mavericks are emphasizing defense more under coach Avery Johnson, and Artest listed Dallas as a team he would be comfortable with in his conversation with The Star on Saturday.
Artest also listed New York and Cleveland as favorable destinations.
The Knicks seem less equipped to make a one-for-one deal, though. Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson and Malik Rose are their only players within range of Artest's salary.
Artest also said he would be willing to back up LeBron James in Cleveland. James told Cleveland reporters Monday he would welcome Artest.
"Every team in this league could use a guy like Ron Artest," James said. "There's no doubt about it."
Former Pacers guard Reggie Miller doesn't see that happening, however. Citing Harrington as an example, Miller said he expects Artest to wind up with a losing team.
"Where's (Ron) going to be happy, Toronto?" Miller said Monday. "You think Al's happy right now?
"It's like I tell guys all the time . . . the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I told Al , 'Be careful, because it ain't like (Walsh) is going to ship you to Detroit or San Antonio,' where he can come back and hurt us. That would be stupid. So if he (Artest) thinks he's going to go to New York, or if he thinks he's going to go to Cleveland -- unless they send us LeBron back -- only way he's going to Cleveland is if he's going to The Flats."
Walsh disputed that notion, however.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "It's whoever offers us the best deal for our team."

[exodus]

If the Hawks can get Artest while only giving up Harrington they really have to consider it. Artest is one of the best players in the league.

And if he doesn't work out they will certainly be willing takers for him. It would be much easier for us to trade him than Indiana. After the season the Hawks will be way under the cap so they have more flexibility.

Artest is the type of player who could bring a quality big or pg in return if the Hawks decide to trade him later. If he does come here that opens up the 4 for Smoove. Marvin doesn't look like he will be ready for a full time starting position any time soon anyway.

[warcore]

hey guys check this out...

so artest maybe wants to leave indiana so he can put what happened their behind him and start over somewhere else...

remember when danny heatley wanted to leave atlanta because of what happened so he can start over.....damn, looks like he's got his new team on top of things

it could happen...

[KB21]

Yeah, if you are naive enough to believe that a person like Artest will actually change the way he goes about doing things.

I bet some of you think Terrell Owens will change his ways with another chance.

Ron Artest has a history of unstable behavior, and if you think that he's just suddenly going to morph into a better personality, then I've got some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you.

I don't believe in this liberal idea that all people are inherently good. You are what you are, and this S.O.B. is nothing but a THUG.