The Ron Artest Saga has finally concluded. ESPN has reported that the Indiana Pacers have agreed to trade Ron Artest to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Peja Stojakovic. The deal was all but official last night until Artest was quoted as saying he didn?t want to play in Sacramento, and the Kings promptly backed out of the deal.
After last night?s confusion Artest met with Pacer executives Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird this morning. According to ESPN?s Jim Gray the meeting quickly became heated. Walsh told Artest if he didn?t accept the trade that he would be suspended without pay for the season.
The trade came nearly a month and a half after Artest told the Indianapolis Star that he felt the Pacers should trade him. Artest, who had been on the teams? inactive list since mid-December, will be reunited with former Pacer Brad Miller in Sacramento.
Stojakovic will provide much needed help for the Pacers, who have lost five of their last six games. A three-time all-star, Stojakovic is averaging 16.4 points per game while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 93 percent from the foul line. He has the choice to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, and would be owed $8,125,000 next season.
The deal seems to fit well for both teams. Sacramento is hoping that Artest can put forth a strong effort both mentally and physically. If so, the Kings would likely return to the elite status they enjoyed just a few seasons ago.
For Indiana they will not only have another player to suit up, but they will have an additional perimeter option to accompany Sarunas Jasikevicius and Stephen Jackson. While Stojakovic?s numbers have declined in each of the past three seasons, (24.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in 2003) he should fit in nicely in the Pacer offense as their second or third scoring option behind Jermaine O?Neal and/or Jackson.
The Pacers may not have gotten equal value for a player like Artest, but credit must be given to Walsh and Bird for waiting until the best deal came along. The deal with the Sacramento will solve two problems for the struggling Pacers. Stojakovic can provide immediate help on the court, and possible cap relief should he opt out of his contract this summer.
With no disrespect to Peja, he?s been through enough of that, the Pacers will benefit more from the absence of Artest than the presence of Stojakovic. The drama has finally ended in Indianapolis, and the Pacers can focus on one thing.
Basketball.