The Timberwolves contacted Indiana last week about acquiring All-Star Ron Artest, a source said Tuesday.
The discussions have not turned serious, and no formal trade offers have been made, said the source. Minnesota officials declined to comment.
Artest’s agent said his client would be excited to play with Kevin Garnett. “Ron, he loves K.G.,” Mark Stevens said. “It would be an honor and a privilege to play by his side.”
Odom `cool’ with Payton
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league will not look into Sunday’s postgame confrontation between Heat guard Gary Payton and Lakers forward Lamar Odom.
Odom said he does not want the issue to resurface when the teams meet Jan. 16 in Los Angeles. “I don’t want to be a subplot,” he said about Payton’s game-long haranguing. “I just want to play basketball, be the cool dude that I am.”
McGrady a dad again
Tracy McGrady left at halftime of the Rockets’ game against the Jazz when he learned his fiance had gone into labor. McGrady had 21 points and five assists as the Rockets led at half by five before losing by eight. Clerenda Harris, who has a 3-year-old daughter named Layla with McGrady, gave birth to a boy and the couple named him Laymen Lamar.
Layups
Rookie Ike Diogu will make his first NBA start Wednesday against the Celtics, replacing veteran Adonal Foyle at center as the Warriors try to snap a five-game losing streak. . . . Bucks guard T.J. Ford suffered a sprained left foot in the first quarter of their 109-98 loss to the Heat after being fouled hard by James Posey.
