PEJA FOR ARTEST: DONE DEAL!
The Indiana Pacers acquired forward Peja Stojakovic from the Sacramento Kings for forward Ron Artest.
What does it give the Indiana Pacers
The consistent outside shooting they've missed since Reggie Miller retired, and the end of a headache. Stojakovic is a premier perimeter scorer when he's healthy, happy, and motivated, but he hasn't really been any of those things this season. This deal might light a fire under the sharp-shooter, and in doing so it might also help the Pacers become a contender again in the competitive East. Along with Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson, Stojakovic gives the Pacers three bona fide top scorers and his incredible range spreads out the floor for O'Neal's interior game. If Indy can hold onto Stojakovic after this season then this deal is a win-win, but if not they'll probably be happy anyway just to be rid of Artest's attitude and ongoing theatrics.
What does it give the Sacramento Kings
Three important things: A big upgrade on defense, a player who will be around awhile, and a team shake-up. Sacto has been hit hard by injuries this season but even when healthy have underachieved, and part of that is their soft team defense. Artest is a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year who will guard every opposing team's best scorer, but he's also very underrated offensively and almost as good as Stojakovic (who's a pilon on D) in that area. This trade also probably gives a temporary reprieve to head coach Rick Adelman. Stojakovic hasn't been great this season and many thought he would opt out of his contract in the summer, so this is a great deal all-around for the Kings. The only question is whether the hotheads Artest and Bonzi Wells can play nice together on the same team.
Fantasy impact
