Artest traded for Stojakovic

[Schmidty]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2304512

[Schmidty]

If this was already posted, I'll delete it.

[Bee]

That's more than I expected them to get for Artest.

[rkmsuf]

Stojakovic is lousy overall. Especially in the playoffs.

And he has a bad back.

[dacman]

At best the Pacers get a good stand-still shooter who doesn't play much defense, which is certainly better than the NOTHING they were getting from Artest.

At worst, it's a salary dump (is Croshere still involved?) because Peja's contract is expiring. Could the Pacers be eyeing an FA for next year?

[Deattribution]

Maybe the change of scenery will help both players, it's probably the best case scenario for the Pacers.

[QuikSand]

I don't follow the NBA closely at all, but I know enough to realize that trades in the NBA can *never* be simply evaluated on the basis of "how good are the players?" It's always about contracts -- teams are always concerned about offloading bad ones, getting guys who are on shorter contracts, and so forth. All a function of the league's bizarro salary cap and guaranteed contracts.

[Hammer755]

That is better for the Pacers than any deal that has been rumored thus far, IMO. Stojakovic's numbers sure are down this season, though - 16 ppg & 40% shooting vs. 21 & 48 average over the past 5 or so years.

[miami_fan]

No deal yet. Sac-town finally realized that it would be better to disolve the team then take on an unhappy Artest

[KJDelaney]

Artest says no deal.

Media here in LA is JUMPING that he will now play for either LA team.

[Lathum]

I think the pacers need to let this guy rot.

[st.cronin]

I think the pacers need to let this guy rot.

Isn't that basically what they're doing?

[stevew]

If the lakers could work out something for Artest, he would definately give Kobe a nice complementary player.

[Schmidty]

If the lakers could work out something for Artest, he would definately give Kobe a nice complementary player.

Yep. Pairing two of the most selfish players ever, would make for some good drama.

[MikeVic]

Yep. Pairing two of the most selfish players ever, would make for some good drama.

That play the same position.

[stevew]

Yep. Pairing two of the most selfish players ever, would make for some good drama.

Hopefully there would be some form of murder/suicide with the 2 of them.

[stevew]

That play the same position.

Yeah, but you play 2 sg/sf's at the same time, and Artest could easily guard SF.

[clintl]

Thank God Artest didn't want to play in Sacramento. That deal was horrible for the Kings. In fact, any deal that ends with Artest in Sacramento would be horrible for the Kings.

[miami_fan]

Thank God Artest didn't want to play in Sacramento. That deal was horrible for the Kings. In fact, any deal that ends with Artest with any team he does not want to play for would be horrible for that team.

Fixed

[miami_fan]

How does this make the Kings look? I mean it was a crazy deal for them in the first place since I had been reading for a few weeks that Artest did not want to play for them. However, they did make the deal. You would think that once the deal made it to the league office, it was set unless it was not possible under the salary cap or if there was an issue with the physicals.

[Deattribution]

From the sounds of it, it's still a possibility, Artest just felt slighted for not being involved in negotiations and said he wants to meet with officials of whatever team he's traded to first.


A headcase for sure, but I guess there's still a chance.

[hoosierdude]

The problem is that Artest doesn't really have a no trade clause,and the Kings while I understand their reticence in taking Ron, didn't have to take the trade.

Sucks for the Pacers that he reamed them up the butt again just when he had the chance to get away and prove himself somewhere else. The guy was so anxious to leave, but I believe he has LA fever... and wants to play with Kobe.

Boy if you thought Shaq and Kobe were interesting, Artest and Kobe would be a best seller. Add in Odom, and wow, there aren't enough basketballs on the court then... you think Artest would let Kobe shoot for 82? lol NO way.

Unbelievable. Artest can always find a way to screw things up.

[clintl]

The guy was so anxious to leave, but I believe he has LA fever... and wants to play with Kobe.



As far as I'm concerned, the Lakers are a perfect destination for Artest. Let him destroy a franchise I detest.

[Daimyo]

At this point I'm almost hoping the Pacers put off trying to win a championship for a few seasons just to hold on to Artest and keep him inactive until his contract runs out. We treated him better and gave him more second chances than he ever deserved... and he twice cost us any chance at a championship. I hope he never plays a minute in the league again.

[Schmidty]

At this point I'm almost hoping the Pacers put off trying to win a championship for a few seasons just to hold on to Artest and keep him inactive until his contract runs out.

Yeah, it would be nice to see him rot.

Besides, it not like anyone will win the East other than the Pistons for the foreseeable future. The Pacers would have been 4th or 5th in the East anyway.

[SirFozzie]

Artest is a special talent.

He can fuck up a team that he didn't even join!

[Karlifornia]

Yeah, I agree with all those that said let him rot.

I would love, for once, to see an organization not give in to the demands of one idiot player. However, this could never happen. Why? Well how would explain this to the rest of the players on your team?

Owner: "Uh, well, this guy's an idiot, so we're going to sacrifice a substantial amount of cap space for the next 2 seasons, thus all but eliminating us from the title hunt, all because I need to teach this douchebag a lesson"

That would never happen. You'd have not only a mutiny of current players, but it would basically create irreperable scars with players from around the league.

EDIT: Whoops, I repeated myself.

[KeyserSoze]

Stars are overrated.

Look at NBA, the last winners were Detroit and San Antonio, two deep teams with more men than names. They work in the same direction and none of them believe he is a megastar.

In the NFL the same, Steelers and S'hawks are two great teams, but with no "me-first" players.

Artest is a cancer.

[Blade6119]

If im not mistaken, wasnt this trade just cancelled?

[Deattribution]

If im not mistaken, wasnt this trade just cancelled?

Yeah, that's covered a little further down in the thread, just without a title change.

[Icy]

This is the worst part imho, Stojakovic was treated like shit.

The Kings' veteran was getting ready to play the Sixers when he found out Tuesday that he was about to be traded, according to his agent David Bauman. Stojakovic, who has spent all seven-plus of his NBA seasons in Sacramento, was stunned. He notified his family, and made travel arrangements to go back to Sacramento. Next thing he knew, he was being told the deal was off. Needless to say, Stojakovic was not amused.

"I'm shocked and upset that Peja got treated this way," Bauman said.

Stojakovic didn't play Tuesday night in the Kings' 109-103 loss to the Sixers. He's expected to travel with the Kings for Wednesday night's game against the Knicks in New York, but Sacramento coach Rick Adelman said his playing status is still up in the air.

"You can't expect him not to have feelings about this, but I expect him to be able to handle things," said Adelman. "It's not been an easy situation. It's not the best thing to happen when you're on a six-game road trip."

[stevew]

Supposedly this deal isnt completely dead of yet, if Artest doesnt want to go to Sacremento(out of his own mouth), he's likely to get suspended without pay for the near future.

[Anthony]

the way i see it, the Kings want to move Peja cuz he's a FA at the end of this season. they get Artest, who for the next 2 seasons can't say anything cuz he doesn't have a no-trade clause. i think trading a player you can risk losing for nothing and turnign him into a younger lpayer of equal or better talent who has to be on your team for the next 2 seasons is a great deal. who cares if Artest won't resign - if he wants to get a great FA contract when his deal is up he has to be on his best behaviour anyway. then, right before his deal is up the Kings can trade him to a contender for lesser players or perhaps what would be a non-lottery pick. so they would effectively turn Peja into 2 years of good service from Artest plus whatever they get for trading Artest.

i'd do it everytime. i think the important thing for the NBA GMs to note is that what Artest wants means nothing, since he has 2 years left on his deal and can't contractually dictate anything. the Pacers were never gonna get equal value for Artest - he's a head case and has lowered his trade value. they're better off getting his negative energy off the team ASAP and walking away with Peja.

[rkmsuf]

too bad they can't trade Artest to the Hawks or something.

I mean this guy is a genius. He can just sit there, bitch about playing for the Pacers, bitch about a destination in trade and just go to the studio everyday and collect his pay.(unless he's suspended without pay. then he's dumb.)

[stevew]

too bad they can't trade Artest to the Hawks or something.

I mean this guy is a genius. He can just sit there, bitch about playing for the Pacers, bitch about a destination in trade and just go to the studio everyday and collect his pay.(unless he's suspended without pay. then he's dumb.)

He is likely to get suspended without pay any day now.

[rkmsuf]

He is likely to get suspended without pay any day now.

Then he'll be all for a trade.

[TazFTW]

Jim Gray says Artest has now agreed to the trade. The Maloofs want to talk to Artest to see if he really wants to play for them.

[Anthony]

i hope he doesn't act aloof when he meets with the Maloofs.


sorry, i always wanted to write that sentence since the Maloofs took over the Kings.

[Schmidty]

i hope he doesn't act aloof when he meets with the Maloofs.


sorry, i always wanted to write that sentence since the Maloofs took over the Kings.

If he acts aloof with the Maloofs, they won't throw him an allyoop from the roof. Poof.




:(

[Anthony]

you goof.

[Ramzavail]

Stars are overrated.

Look at NBA, the last winners were Detroit and San Antonio, two deep teams with more men than names. They work in the same direction and none of them believe he is a megastar.

In the NFL the same, Steelers and S'hawks are two great teams, but with no "me-first" players.

Artest is a cancer.

Shaun Alexander is me-first. Wait until the Seahawks lowball him and he walks.

San Antonio doesn't have stars? You tell that to 2-time MVP Tim Duncan.

[Eaglesfan27]

Shaun Alexander is me-first. Wait until the Seahawks lowball him and he walks.

San Antonio doesn't have stars? You tell that to 2-time MVP Tim Duncan.
Or Manu, or Tony Parker. Those guys are both star calibre players.

[Eaglesfan27]

According to several websites, the Artest deal is now complete and he is traded for Peja.

[jbmagic]

According to several websites, the Artest deal is now complete and he is traded for Peja.

The Kings' owner want to talk to Artest first before they commit to it.

[stevew]

Its 100% done now. Good deal for the Kings, as long as Ronny doesn't act up. Of course, thats not likely to happen, as he's a bit insane. From a contract standpoint, Artest has 2 relatively cheap years left after this one, and Peja can opt out after this year(and likely will). Peja IMO isnt a Max type player, so the Kings save face, and don't have to pay him 14 million a year(or more) after this season. The Pacers weren't getting anything out of Ron, so this should be good for them.

[miami_fan]

First the Bulls, then the Pacers, now the Kings. Yes, Ron Artest is going to be on his very best behavior.....this time......really he will.......honest. How could you doubt him?