By Mike Wells and Mark Montieth
mike.wells@indystar.com

The Indiana Pacers aren't wasting time in responding to Ron Artest's request to be traded.
CEO Donnie Walsh said today that the Pacers will put Artest on the inactive list for the rest of the week as they pursue a trade.

Artest did not attend Monday's practice. He missed the past two games with a wrist injury.
Artest told The Star on Saturday morning that he didn't like playing for coach Rick Carlisle and that he wanted a fresh start.

Walsh has met with Artest twice, including once after Saturday's announcement.
"At that point, I would have wanted Ronnie to come to practice, because the fact a player says he wants to be traded really has no consequence to the franchise," Walsh said. "But since that time, he's stepped up and (repeated his trade request) a few times. I've changed my thoughts on that.

"He'll remain on the active list through this week, and I've told him he doesn't have to come to practice. The reason for that is we will pursue trades. And I'm not going to know for a while exactly what the situation is going to be.
"I don't want the team to be distracted."

Artest, who is averaging 19.4 points a game, said he wants to play for a team on which he can excel offensively. He watched the past two games from the bench as the Pacers picked up impressive victories. He said he thinks he disrupts the offense with his one-on-one style. The Pacers are 2-1 this season without Artest in the lineup.

I have to say, this drama is more bizarre than anything else.

Clearly Ron is not "all there." But to be honest, I'd take him. I think his character shortcomings are a lot less malicious than Kobe, Ruben, hell even Qyntel.

But this IS weird, especially the way he said it. It came out of nowhere and he stated it matter-a-factly, as if he was just asking the coach for more playing time.

[Edited by - efw on 12-12-2005 3:12 PM]

This is quickly turning into something very similar to the Curry situation. I think we can get him and I hope Isiah offers anyone but Curry, Frye and Marbury to do it.

Posted by crzymdups:

This is quickly turning into something very similar to the Curry situation. I think we can get him and I hope Isiah offers anyone but Curry, Frye and Marbury to do it.

Curry's heart was cleared by Knicks doctors, I doubt Artest's mental health will be.

putting him on the inactive list sure does seem to deprive the pacers of leverage!

honestly--what about this three way

MO Taylor to Por
Ron Artest and steve Blake to NY
David Lee Ruben Patterson Trevor Ariza SA 06+3mm to Indiana

Posted by realhiphop:

Why does Steve Blake's name keep coming up? I don't want him on this team.

you need fillers to get to 25%


anyway, i see indiana asking for davis to dump some money--i give my blessing on this, we could really use artest.

Posted by TemujinKnick:

Davis to Indiana plus other parts to make it work, probably involving a third team, is something I would go for. Taking back a bad contract to get Artest is something we should jump at.

Ron Artest is better than any player the Knicks have acquired in any form in 20 years.[i should say can acquire]

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by TemujinKnick:

Davis to Indiana plus other parts to make it work, probably involving a third team, is something I would go for. Taking back a bad contract to get Artest is something we should jump at.

Ron Artest is better than any player the Knicks have acquired in any form in 20 years.[i should say can acquire]

amen.

Posted by crzymdups:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by TemujinKnick:

Davis to Indiana plus other parts to make it work, probably involving a third team, is something I would go for. Taking back a bad contract to get Artest is something we should jump at.

Ron Artest is better than any player the Knicks have acquired in any form in 20 years.[i should say can acquire]

amen.

BUT no FRYE NO CURRY unless they give us JO:> on top of artest:>) for just artest i will give them whatever they want except frye or curry

Posted by MS:

I think you have to look to offer Ariza, Lee, Q, for Artest....We would instantly be one of the favorites in the east as crazy as that sounds you do what you do to get the guy he is the best small foward in the NBA

Marbury
Crawford
Artest
Frye
Curry.......

Which begs the bigger question to you try to win an NBA championship if we get Artest by trading Frye with the expiring deals if Minnesota will listen, its interesting

Marbury/Nate
Crawford
Artest/Wally
KG/Malik
Curry/James

No, you trade for more picks and build into a contender for years.