Seattle has made a call to indiana as well-----------------------------------
Sonics makes Artest inquiry, says source
By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter
Ron Artest a Sonic?
A source has confirmed that the team has made calls to the Indiana Pacers about the oft-maligned forward.
General manager Rick Sund declined to comment on Tuesday, but acknowledged that rumors will continue to circulate about every team in the league until Artest is moved.
Co-captains Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis said they wouldn't be opposed to adding a player with Artest's checkered past.
"I think anybody would be welcomed until they prove otherwise," Allen said. "Whatever situations happened for a player in another city and for another team doesn't matter to me. I accept them for what they bring to the situation and how they act when they get here."
Said Lewis: "If anything, guys wonder more if they're going to be the one who gets traded and not wondering what it would be like to have him on your team. He's a good player at my position. It's just in the back of your mind. There's probably a lot of forwards in the league wondering if it's going to be them.
"Because if he wants to be moved and they say they're going to move him, he can't be traded for nothing. You got to get somebody for him and you got to get a pretty good player. It may never happen, but I never want to say never."
If the Sonics were to make an offer, it might include Vladimir Radmanovic, a 6-foot-10 three-point specialist, and possibly Reggie Evans or Ronald Murray, whose contracts expire this season.