FWD: Pacers send Artest to Kings in exchange for Stojakovic

Chenjinnan

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Ron Artest needed a place to play. The Indiana Pacers needed to unload their biggest problem.

And the rebuilding Sacramento Kings were willing to gamble on the league's most unpredictable All-Star.

The elements came together Wednesday, and this time they stuck: The Kings sent sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic to the Pacers for Artest in an on-again, off-again deal that's been talked about for months.

More:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news ... ov=ap&type=lgns

Chenjinnan

Poor Peja... I rather like Peja in Kings uniform than Pacers...

IMHO, this trade is a lose-lose situation rather than win-win. Pacers need a defensive man rather than another scorer, while Artest will further break down the chemistry Kings has had...

Without Peja, the primary option for Kings should be Bibby. If Artest didn't like himself as 2nd option behind O'Neal, I am sure he wouldn't like Bibby ahead of him...

And for Peja, he's so injury prone and defensive-less wouldn't help Pacers much anyway. The only game he can play is inside-out with O'Neal, but this isn't hard to defend by opponent. Peja is strong at coming off pick or screen but no body in Pacers are doing that, at least O'Neal isn't going to do that for him.

Really need to see both teams' adjustment, they both need to change a bit to use their newcomers...