Indiana’s Artest fined by league

The statements were made during an interview with an Indianapolis newspaper on December 11. The often-maligned Artest said he has issues with his role on the team and that the club would be better off without him.

"Public trade demands by players was a subject discussed at length during collective bargaining negotiations this summer," Rick Buchanan, NBA senior vice president and general counsel said. "The damage caused by these kinds of statements was commonly understood, as was the NBA’s intention to hold players accountable for such statements going forward."

On Monday, Pacers president Donnie Walsh said the team will try to trade Artest, who hasn’t dressed for the team’s last three games.

The 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Artest made headlines last season when he charged into the crowd after fans following getting hit with debris during a game against the Detroit Pistons at the Palace. Commissioner David Stern suspended Artest for the final 73 games of the season.

Walsh said Artest would remain on the inactive list through the end of the week. The 6-foot-7 Artest, who is averaging 19.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest this season, has also been told not to practice with the team.