A tentative agreement that would have sent Artest to the Sacramento Kings for forward Peja Stojakovic fell through yesterday, apparently because Artest said he did not want to play for the Kings, who then reneged on the deal.
It would seem to be a frustrating twist for the Pacers, who have been trying to deal Artest since mid-December when he requested a trade. Artest's latest decision only adds to the drama that has followed him since he entered the N.B.A. seven years ago and peaked last season when he received a record 73-game suspension for charging into the stands to fight fans during a game against the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan.
"Apparently, Sacramento got cold feet," David Bauman, the agent for Stojakovic, said in a telephone interview yesterday. "I don't exactly know. Artest, either himself or his agent, made some comments to Sacramento involving Ron saying he didn't want to be there."
But Artest did not rule out playing for the Kings. "I just want to meet with team officials of whichever team I'm headed to," he told The Indianapolis Star. "I want to play, but I'm following the rules I have to follow. If I have to sit out, I sit out the season."