Artest trade hits barrier, off for now

The Ron Artest trade to Sacramento is off – for now.

The Pacers had reportedly agreed to ship the volatile forward to the Sacramento Kings for Peja Stojakovic, but Indiana coach Rick Carlisle and CEO Donnie Walsh said Tuesday night that no deal was imminent.

“There is no trade right now and there may not be a trade,” Carlisle said before Indiana played the Cavaliers in Cleveland. “There’s nothing to talk about because there is no trade.”

Later, Walsh released a statement.

“As I have said before, until there is a deal completed, we do not have a deal,” he said. “We do not have a deal and will not comment on any premature reports regarding a trade involving Ron Artest.”

ESPN and The Indianapolis Star had reported earlier Tuesday that the teams had agreed to the trade, which was merely awaiting league approval. But Carlisle shot down that report.

“Anything involving speculation and ‘what’s up’ can be saved for another time,” Carlisle said. “If there is a trade at some point, you’ll hear about it.”

Artest confirmed to the Star that the deal collapsed, but left open the possibility that something may happen.

“There’s no deal,” Artest told the newspaper by telephone. “It’s not that I don’t want to play there … I’m letting my agent handle things. He’s taken over things.”

Artest’s agent, Mark Stevens, had told The Associated Press earlier in the day that a deal to move Artest “is imminent, almost as soon as possible.” After the trade apparently collapsed, he did not return phone calls from the AP.

“Philadelphia forward Lee Nailon was arrested after a domestic dispute in Lower Merion, Pa., according to the team. Nailon, 30, has played in 22 games this season, averaging 4.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 10.8 minutes.

“Denver center Marcus Camby was cleared to play after missing 14 games with a broken finger. Camby’s status was day-to-day, and the Nuggets will decide at game time today whether he will play when they face the Trail Blazers in Portland.

On the court

Hedo Turkoglu scored 30 points and Orlando limited Phoenix to one basket in the final 4:48 to post a 111-102 win at Orlando, Fla.

Turkoglu hit an 18-foot jumper with 6:12 left to break a 95-all tie and had eight more points down the stretch to help Orlando gain control.

Pistons 107, Timberwolves 83: At Minneapolis, Chauncey Billups totaled 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and Detroit toppled Minnesota for its eighth consecutive win.

Heat 94, Grizzlies 82: At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 18 of his 25 points in the second half, and Shaquille O’Neal had 20 points and 15 rebounds in only 30 minutes as Miami defeated Memphis.

76ers 109, Kings 103: At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 41 points and Chris Webber had 17 points and 13 rebounds, leading Philadelphia over Sacramento.

Cavaliers 96, Pacers 66: At Cleveland, LeBron James totaled 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as Cleveland rolled to a win over Indiana.

Spurs 104, Bobcats 76: At San Antonio, Beno Udrih had season highs of 17 points and eight assists as San Antonio strolled past Charlotte, which played without three key starters and dropped its eighth consecutive game.