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Kings peddle Peja for unpredictable Artest
By Daniel Dullum January 26, 2006 |
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In a deal involving two NBA teams taking calculated risks, the Indiana Pacers were finally able to accommodate Ron Artest’s wishes and trade the unpredictable All-Star to Sacramento for sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic. No other players are involved in the deal, which was on again, off again over the last two days after rumors of the trade rumbled for months. With Artest, the Kings are getting a player who, despite being regarded as one of the finest low-post defenders in the NBA, is best known for his 73-game suspension last season – the longest in league history – after entering the stands in Detroit and setting off one of the ugliest brawls ever seen in a U.S. major league sport. The Pacers had deactivated Artest for most of this season after demanding a trade in December. Along with his basketball skills, Artest also brings considerable baggage that preceded last year’s brawl. As a Chicago Bull, he broke two of Michael Jordan’s ribs in a practice session; he’s broken a television camera, asked for a leave of absence to promote his rap music, and verbally sparred on the court with Miami Heat coach Pat Riley. Stojakovic, a three-time All-Star, is suffering through an off-season with the Kings, averaging 16.5 points per game while playing with a bad back. In his career, Stojakovic has averaged 18.5 points and is a 47 percent shooter from the field – including 40 percent three-point shooting. Artest, the NBA’s defensive player of the year two seasons ago, led the league in steals and averaged 19.4 ppg before the Pacers deactivated him. The former All-Star forward is scheduled to make $7.15 million next season and $7.8 million in 2007-08, with an $8.45 player option for 2008-09. He is expected to join the struggling Kings this weekend. |
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