BY GREG LOGAN
STAFF WRITER

December 13, 2005

Pacers president Donnie Walsh said he expects to hear from the Knicks when the bidding for Indiana star Ron Artest heats up, but they are by no means the preferred bidder even though Artest said he would like to play for the Knicks in an "ideal world."

"Ron changed that statement," Walsh said yesterday in a telephone interview. "He said he'd go anywhere, and I wouldn't feel I had to do that [deal with the Knicks] anyway. I'm going to take the best offer."

As of 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Walsh said he had heard nothing yet from Knicks president Isiah Thomas, but he certainly expects to hear soon from the man who coached Artest for two seasons with the Pacers. "We just started the process, but I'm waiting to hear what they have to say," Walsh said of the Knicks.

Walsh declined to discuss specifics, but when asked if he likely would demand some or all of the Knicks' three first-round rookies as part of any deal, Walsh said, "I'm not in the market for veterans. It has to make sense either for our future or financial sense or both."

Reading between the lines, that means the only way the Pacers would take one of the Knicks' veteran contracts would be if Austin Croshere, who has two years worth $18.5 million left on his contract, were part of the deal. It's virtually certain that Walsh would want rookie forward Channing Frye, the eighth overall pick of the 2005 draft, as part of a deal. He also might expect to pick from among Knicks rookies David Lee and Nate Robinson and second-year player Trevor Ariza.

Artest, a Queensbridge native who played at St. John's, was the defensive player of the year two seasons ago before getting suspended for 73 games last season for his part in the Pacers' infamous brawl with fans in Auburn Hills, Mich. He was averaging 19.4 points in his return this season before being put on the inactive list after the trade request.

After supporting Artest through a series of problems, Walsh called his sudden trade request "the last straw" and vowed to accommodate his wish.

Thomas wasn't available for comment but is said to be taking a "wait-and-see" approach. Walsh said he has no timetable but expects to move quickly.

"I'm in the process of seeing what the market is," Walsh said, "but if I see a deal that will help us, I'll do it."

It's virtually certain that Walsh would want rookie forward Channing Frye, the eighth overall pick of the 2005 draft, as part of a deal. He also might expect to pick from among Knicks rookies David Lee and Nate Robinson and second-year player Trevor Ariza.

and i repeat not worth is....1 team with artest, 28 teams without him....who cares. if its not penny and AD...then KIM! (KEEP IT MOVING!)

sounds like they can get him with a package of ariza Lee and an ending contract or something close. the name frye--by fans or reporters is moronic

I agree with briggs, adding the name frye to this deal is moronic..

There's no way Frye gets traded.

I think Jerry West would deal for Artest.

Battier or Miller Wright + a pick for Artest and Croshere

Frye is untouchable, but I would hate to trade Nate.

IMO Artest will go somewhere else and a sign and trade will be done once his contract ends. The Pacers organization is not going to deal with Isiah just out of spite. If they deal with Isiah it's because they are benefitting. No way the Pacers would want anybody that we are willing to give up.

We aren't a winner but we are a rival, so...

Posted by BlueSeats:

I heard Reggie Miller on the radio yesterday. His feeling was that Walsh wasn't the best GM for nothing, and if/when Artest is traded it's not gonna be to a winner (not doing Ron a favor), and it's not gonna go to a rival where it can come back and bit him.

In short, Reg thinks Walsh will want Ron buried as far away as possible.

Makes sense to me. I do think if we are willing to vastly overpay to get him that could alter the landscape, but lets not.

Artest will get traded to...UTAH



thinking about it, what if they did pull off AK47 or Booze for Artest?

[Edited by - McK1 on 12-13-2005 12:27 PM]

Posted by McK1:

Posted by BlueSeats:

I heard Reggie Miller on the radio yesterday. His feeling was that Walsh wasn't the best GM for nothing, and if/when Artest is traded it's not gonna be to a winner (not doing Ron a favor), and it's not gonna go to a rival where it can come back and bit him.

In short, Reg thinks Walsh will want Ron buried as far away as possible.

Makes sense to me. I do think if we are willing to vastly overpay to get him that could alter the landscape, but lets not.

Artest will get traded to...UTAH



thinking about it, what if they did pull off AK47 or Booze for Artest?

[Edited by - McK1 on 12-13-2005 12:27 PM]

Jerry Sloan and Artest will have the craziest knife fight if that trade were to happen.

Sloan would stick Artest on the inactive list and dare the Utah GM to fire him.