Sport-Blog.com

By Ed Jennett


This six part series about the trade rumors of the NBA concludes in the same place where the actual trading frenzy began, the Pacific Division. While things have begun to quiet down recently, the Pacific Division was probably involved in the most rumors. The majority of them involved former Indiana Pacer SF Ron Artest.

The Golden State Warriors were one of the numerous teams participating in the Artest derby. Warrior PF Troy Murphy was actually so convinced that he was going to be shipped off to the Pacers that he did not renew a local gym membership. Apparently Murphy has never heard of transferring a gym membership. The hottest current rumor swirling around the Warriors is that GM Chris Mullin and Head Coach Mike Montgomery might be fired if the team does not make it to the postseason. Golden State was picked by many experts to return to the playoffs this year. After having a great start to the season the Warriors quickly returned to their losing ways however.

The Los Angeles Clippers are interested in acquiring SF/PF/C Eddie Griffin from the Minnesota Timberwolves. LA has a low-post presence in PF Elton Brand and an athletic big man in C Chris Kaman. The Clippers would like to complement them with the outside shooting of Griffin. LA is offering backup PF/C Chris Wilcox. Despite Griffin being in and out of the rotation of Minnesota Head Coach Dwane Casey, the Timberwolves are reluctant to make the trade. Indiana was considering trading Artest for Clippers SG/SF Corey Maggette, but was scared off because of his foot injury. There were also rumors of an Artest for Clippers SG Cutino Mobley and Wilcox swap, but that obviously never materialized.

The Los Angeles Lakers have asked the New York Knicks about rookie PF Channing Frye. Presumably this would have to be in a package for Lamar Odom, as he is one of the only players on the Lakers roster (besides untouchables SG Kobe Bryant and rookie C Andrew Bynum) that the Knicks (or most other teams) would have any interest in. The Knicks declined and it appears that the Lakers do not have any other trades brewing. LA does not want to trade Odom. So it does not appear the Lakers will be able to land any players of significance since the rest of their roster is comprised of role players. The Pacers had wanted Odom in exchange for Artest, but the Lakers were not willing to give him up.

The Phoenix Suns are not currently involved in any trade rumors. In all likelihood the Suns will stand pat. They have been playing great and All-Star PF/C Amare Stoudmaire is ahead of schedule in his recovery from microfracture surgery and should return later in the season.

The Sacramento Kings officially kicked off the trading with their acquisition of Artest for SF Peja Stojakovic. That particular trade had been in the rumor mill since the 2004 NBA Draft, when the Pacers first proposed the deal to the Kings. Because Artest is crazy, Sacramento decided not to make the trade. Despite more proof that Artest is insane, such as his role in the Detroit brawl, demanding a trade and then wanting to stay, the Kings finally agreed to the swap earlier this month.

It had become obvious to Sacramento that they were going nowhere building their offense around the perimeter game of Stojakovic. Plus there had been endless rumors that he would opt out of his contract this offseason and leave the club as an unrestricted free agent, most likely going to the Chicago Bulls. The Kings decided to risk using Stojakovic to acquire Artest as opposed to risking losing Stojakovic this summer for nothing. The high risk world of the NBA may be the only place where one rumor can cause another rumor to come true.