Timberwolves forward Wally Szczerbiak hears the trade talk.
Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale has acknowledged that the organization has called the Indiana Pacers regarding Ron Artest.

So it's open season on trade speculation on sports talk radio and around office water coolers.

Artest is the hottest name on the market until the Pacers decide where to ship the former all-star.

Szczerbiak is aware of the speculation.

"It's tough not to (be). It's circulating so much," Szczerbiak said. "But I think this team is just focused on what we need to do. The coaches are keeping us really focused on playing games. We're trying not to worry about that. The whole Artest situation, we have to realize as players, is you never know when a deal will get done.
"It's been known that Indiana doesn't mind leaving him on the (inactive) list all year. We just have to go about our business and play our game and try to get wins."

When there is trade talk involving Minnesota, Szczerbiak's name has been near the top of the list for years. As a former all-star who is a career 50 percent shooter, he is an attractive commodity.

"First of all, I try not to read the papers and not even get involved in it," Szczerbiak said. "You just focus on your job and what you're there to do. If it happens, it happens."