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Indiana Pacers: The only thing louder than rumors of Ron Artest's demise in Indiana are the rumors of Ron Artest's rebirth in Indiana."Ronnie is an incredibly hard worker," Pacer President Larry Bird said in the Indianapolis Star. "I told him I wish I had him working out in the summer with me when I played. It would have been fun. I know he's gone through tough times here and there but he's got a ton of ability. And when you sit down and talk to him you just love the kid; it's incredible." The quote may have been reaction to a story run in the NY Post by Peter Vecsey saying that the Pacers were on the verge of trading the troublesome small forward to the Sonics for Brent Barry. "I'm just taking it day by day," Artest said. "People get fired, people get traded. Things like that are going to happen. Nobody's job is safe."

Golden State Warriors: The Golden State Warriors are pretty sure they made a trade this summer that put Nick Van Exel on their team. They're just not so sure that Van Exel has gotten the word since they haven't heard from him since. "We're in a position now where basically Nick has a contract and it's premature to have any kind of discussion," Warriors President Robert Rowell said in the Contra Costa Times. "He hasn't even put on a Warriors uniform yet." Van Exel is under contract for $10.9 million next season.

Detroit Pistons: The proposed trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Piston involving Chris Mills, Lindsey Hunter and Hubert Davis has been called off."We aren't doing anything," Piston President Dumars said in the Detroit News. "We are going to stand pat for now."

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