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Alas, Artest for Peja trade to Kings completed
Ron Artest’s turbulent career with the Indiana Pacers officially ended Wednesday with the completion of a trade to Sacramento for Peja Stojakovic, the Indianapolis Star reported.
The Star is reporting that the Pacers will announce the deal at a news conference Wednesday night at Conseco Fieldhouse. Artest met with Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh and team president Larry Bird at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday morning, after which he declared his willingness to accept a trade.
"Obviously, we're very happy about getting a player of (Stojakovic's) caliber," Bird said in a statement. "He's one of the best shooters in the league and we definitely feel he can help us right away."
Artest, 26, played in 16 games this season, averaging 19.4 points and 4.9 rebounds, before making a surprising trade request through The Star on Dec. 10.
He had his best season for the Pacers in 2003-04 when he averaged 18.3 points. He was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team that season, was voted Defensive Player of the Year and was selected third-team All-NBA.
Stojakovic, 28, was averaging 16.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. He also had his best season in 2003-04, when he averaged 24.2 points while hitting 43 percent from the 3-point line. He was voted second-team all-NBA that season and was as Western Conference All-Star. He is a three-time All-Star.
Pacers fans can get their first look at Artest in a Kings uniform when Sacramento plays at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 17.
Source: AP
The Star is reporting that the Pacers will announce the deal at a news conference Wednesday night at Conseco Fieldhouse. Artest met with Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh and team president Larry Bird at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday morning, after which he declared his willingness to accept a trade.
"Obviously, we're very happy about getting a player of (Stojakovic's) caliber," Bird said in a statement. "He's one of the best shooters in the league and we definitely feel he can help us right away."
Artest, 26, played in 16 games this season, averaging 19.4 points and 4.9 rebounds, before making a surprising trade request through The Star on Dec. 10.
He had his best season for the Pacers in 2003-04 when he averaged 18.3 points. He was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team that season, was voted Defensive Player of the Year and was selected third-team All-NBA.
Stojakovic, 28, was averaging 16.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. He also had his best season in 2003-04, when he averaged 24.2 points while hitting 43 percent from the 3-point line. He was voted second-team all-NBA that season and was as Western Conference All-Star. He is a three-time All-Star.
Pacers fans can get their first look at Artest in a Kings uniform when Sacramento plays at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 17.
Source: AP