Artest, Rose to Close to Being Lakers

[1524]

Source: Artest looks to be bound for L.A.

By Sam Amico

Dec. 28, 2005

Indiana is nearing a three-team trade that would send swingman Ron Artest to the Los Angeles Lakers, a league source has told ProBasketballNews.com.

Meanwhile, Lakers forward Devean George would end up in Indiana.

The third team involved in the proposed trade is the Toronto Raptors, according to the source. The Raptors would send Jalen Rose to Los Angeles -- and in return receive Pacers forward Austin Croshere and at least one player from the Lakers.

The source added that George and an undetermined player from the Raptors -- or perhaps a draft pick -- would be to dealt to the Pacers.

"Basically, it's Artest for Devean George, with the Raptors getting involved to make it work financially," the source said. "When and if it happens, this will be a trade that consists of plenty of throw-ins."

Three weeks ago, Artest told the Indianapolis Star that he wanted to be traded. He later apologized to his teammates and told management he would like to remain with the team. But Pacers president Larry Bird told The Indianapolis Star on Monday that he felt "betrayed" by Artest, and said the Pacers will indeed trade him.

Artest has been inactive since his comments about wanting to be traded, which came after he was injured against Dallas on Dec. 6. Since then, the Pacers have been flooded with trade requests.

Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh told the Associated Press on Wednesday the team had narrowed its options down from about 10 teams this week, but did not indicate when a trade might occur.

Artest averaged 19.4 points and 4.9 rebounds through 16 games this season. He was suspended for 73 games last year after the well-documented brawl during a game in Detroit.

Croshere is averaging 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Pacers, while Rose is scoring 9.6 points in just 25 minutes per game -- his lowest averages in both categories in nine seasons.

George is also near his career lows in scoring (5.6 ppg) and field-goal percentage (38 percent).

The source said he was not given a timetable as to when the proposed trade might take place. "I hear they are very close to finalizing everything, he said, "but it sounds like there are a few kinks that still need to be worked out."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is from ProBasketballNews.com...I think it is BS. Why would INDY do that?

[Diesel]

Well, it made the rounds onto CNN.

I think if something like this did happen, The Lakers would probably end up giving up some picks or even Bynum also. They can't get all the perks.

More the likely it's the picks. Phil Jackson has never been one to train a young player. Kobe is the only one I can call and there wasn't a whole lot of training going on there. The Lakers know this and are prolly willing to give him a vet team for his three year stint.

[chillzatl]

The lakers will ahve taken a pretty big jump, IMO. getting artest and being able to keep Odom? Adding Rose isn't a bad move either. He's a guy who can fill a few spots for them.

[Lascar78]

Yeah definitely. They are a lot more likely to advance in the playoffs, and also a lot more likely to completely implode. Kobe went nuts the other day yelling at Odom and smashing a monitor to the ground. I don't know how a locker room in that state will react to Artest. It won't be long before he asks for a re-negotiated contract.

Talent-wise, this a dream-like trade for LA

[exodus]

Artest for a guy averaging 5 ppg? I'll believe it when I see it.

[GST]

This trade doesn't make a lot of sense from Indy's perspective. Are they trying to dump Austin Croshere? Surely there are better offers out there.

[chillzatl]

value out of artest. While George may not seem like he's even close, he's a solid defender and he can hit the outside shot. Getting a player with those skills and being able to get out from under Crosheres contract might be worth it for them.

[exodus]

Croshere's contract is up in '07. Even with him gone they are still over the cap. George wouldn't start over Granger. They would be trading Artest for a backup.

Indy is looking for someone to help them win now.

That report came out yesterday and smelled just as bad.

[tmac13]

Unless someone like Bynum is going to Indy..

[Diesel]

i was reading some Lakers fans talking about Odom for Harrington/Delk.

I can imagine BK having a seizure thinking about the possibility of getting Odom... Regaurdless of contract. Odom is everything BK has wanted as a GM. When he picked Gasol, he wanted Gasol to be like Odom...

Seeing that Kobe runs that team, I can imagine them bringing in Harrington, Rose, and Artest to be Kobe's sidekicks...

[exodus]

A scrub and a project for Artest?

Indy is looking to win while JO is in his prime. Neither of those guys will help.

I can't see Artest going to the Lakers without them giving up Odom.

[GST]

...or Toronto's 1st round pick is involved.

[Packfill]

I think Phil Jackson loves the idea of acquiring Artest for the simple fact that Artest will probably rip Kobe's head off when he starts acting like a prima donna. That and they have no chance of doing anything in the playoffs as presently constituted.

[exodus]

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That and they have no chance of doing anything in the playoffs as presently constituted.

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I agree but Indy is holding the best player so they should get at least a good starter in return. I don't think the Lakers really have anything that Indy wants.

[BornandDieHawks]

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That and they have no chance of doing anything in the playoffs as presently constituted.

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I agree but Indy is holding the best player so they should get at least a good starter in return. I don't think the Lakers really have anything that Indy wants.

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Indy has the upper hand in the trade talks because 10 teams are after Artest. I can't this being the best deal out there for him.

[chillzatl]

Indy isn't in a position to barter. NOBODY IS GOING TO GIVE THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT. Just forget it... Artests value today is not what it was 20 games ago. It's about half that.

[exodus]

There is no chance they will trade Artest and get nothing back but George. That is just plain nuts. This is the dumbest Artest trade rumor that I have seen.

Walsh was quoted as saying he knew he wouldn't get equal value for Artest. You aren't exactly saying anything that isn't common knowlege.

[chillzatl]

There will be other players thrown in. But htey're not going to get close to getting a player anywhere near Artests qualtiy back (odom). He's gone from Indiana. Why would any team give them someone of high quality when they know that Indiana HAS to move him.. Indiana doesn't have a hand to play with. They're all in and practically drawing dead.

[exodus]

No they aren't drawing dead. GMs will continue to take chances on players with the talent of Artest, regardless of their baggage.

Rodman was a way bigger distraction than Artest... Sprewell strangled his coach...etc.

From what I have seen LA isn't in the picture. Most likely it will be GS, Denver, or Memphis. Minny is trying but I can't see them getting him either. KG doesn't seem too thrilled at the prospect of getting Artest.

[chillzatl]

there are probably 20 teams in the league that will take a chance on artest. That's not the point. The point is they all know they don't have to give up much to get him. Because Indiana is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He can't come back to that team. They have to get rid of him or cut him. So they're in a pickle. That's the reason why there are 20 teams out there who are dealing to get him. In any other situation, many of those teams simply wouldn't have the resources to get him. But the way things are in Indiana, practically everyone has something that Indiana would consider.