Top > Sport > 2005 > December > 2005-12-26

Artest Trade Seems Imminent

Indiana is looking to cut its losses and get the most value for Artest while its still can. Indiana needs some perimeter help now! Look for Donny Walsh to move Ronny within the next few weeks instead of waiting until the trading deadline. Watching the Pacers play Friday night against the Cavs, it?s obvious that the team is struggling without Artest. Ron?s absence is particularly noticeable on the offensive end. There are a number of teams rumored to be in the Artest chase, with the most viable options being the Clippers, Sonics and Warriors.

The LA Clippers are apparently in the running to acquire the services of Artest. Be it a direct swap of Corey Maggette or a three-way with Chris Wilcox and filler (potentially the somewhat costly piece of Zeljko Rebraca), the Clippers may even be the favorite. Mike Dunleavy has had success dealing with volatile personalities, coaching the Portland TrailBlazers to game seven of the Western Conference Finals. Moving Maggette should be considered a long shot. However, losing five of their last six could be the added incentive to make a change.

If they would be willing to part with Nick Collison, the Sonics would be a front-runner. There are complications surrounding the contracts of Vladimir Radmanovic, Flip Murray and Reggie Evans since they`re all on their one-year tenders. Since each has veto power over any trade, the Sonics are probably a long shot without Collison in the mix.