"Several Indiana Pacers are open to playing overseas if the NBA lockout cuts into the start of the season, as many expect.

Agent Mark Bartelstein, who represents five Pacers, said he is "aggressively pursuing opportunities" overseas.

"None of them are dying to go over there. They prefer for there to be an NBA season," Bartelstein said. "My message to the players (is) that we need to be aggressive in looking for things. We're not just going to be reckless and take a job we don't think is a good fit, but if there's a job we think is good, we have to think about doing it. We deal with this situation on a day-to-day basis and we'll see what happens."

Bartelstein's agency represents Pacers Danny Granger, Paul George, Brandon Rush, Dahntay Jones and James Posey.

Granger and Jones are open to playing overseas because of the uncertainty of when the lockout will end. Rush said via text message that he's not interested in the opportunity.

"If it's a good country and a good organization, I'll definitely try it," Jones said. "It's about the experience and being able to play basketball. Playing basketball is the sole reason for it."

Center Roy Hibbert and point guard A.J. Price say it's possible that they will play overseas, too.

"Right now my top option is to stay in the States," Hibbert said. "But if we don't have a season or we're missing many games, my agent has something set up for me to go over there."

Pacers officials cannot try to sway their players' decision because the sides are not allowed to communicate during the lockout.

New Jersey Nets All-Star point guard Deron Williams was the first big name to opt for the international game when he signed a contract to play in Turkey."