The Indiana Pacers are closer to dealing Ron Artest and getting a player to help their struggling team.

"We're closer than we were," Indiana president of basketball operations Larry Bird said Tuesday. "To say we're going to do something today, well, that's not going to happen."

Artest's agent, Mark Stevens, said "a deal is imminent, almost as soon as possible."

A deal with Sacramento is potentially on the horizon, according to the New York Post, which is reporting that Peja Stojakovic could be dealt for Artest.