Pacers Trade Rumors

"The Indiana Pacers are preparing for the June draft just like they did a year ago. They've scouted players in person and watched them on video. This year, however, the Pacers will determine whether they use or trade their pick; last year, they had no pick. They had given it to Atlanta to complete a trade involving Al Harrington. The Pacers are slotted to pick 11th if lottery seeds hold, their earliest selection since picking Erick Dampier 10th in 1996. They believe the draft is the first step to improving."

"While it's too early to tell whether an All-Star will hit the market, the Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal, the Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas and perhaps even the Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady might be trade possibilities. If no deal materializes, Paxson should remain patient. The prudent approach then probably would be going after a true point guard and keeping the current roster mostly intact."

"It's enough to make you wonder if it's best for Jermaine O'Neal, currently the world's biggest fashion model, to even bother returning down the stretch. On the one hand, it's important for future trade partners to see that O'Neal is healthy and productive. On the other hand, if he's healthy and productive, the Pacers might just follow up this latest 6-4 stretch with another nice run of 10 games."

"Though contract negotiations are far from completed, Bronx-born Donnie Walsh is headed to the Garden at season's end to become Knicks president and end the disastrous Isiah Thomas Era... If senior VP Glen Grunwald isn't retained, Walsh is expected to bring in a right-hand man to run the draft, with SI.com reporting Denver GM Mark Warkentien as a strong candidate. Warkentien drafted Zach Randolph in Portland and has a good relationship with him. Kiki Vandeweghe could join that mix, along with Detroit personnel men John Hammond and George David, and San Antonio's Dennis Lindsey all highly regarded."

"The Knicks are courting Donnie Walsh, the longtime Indiana Pacers executive, and by some accounts have already struck a deal to have him run the team’s basketball operations after this season. Thomas has been the Knicks’ president since December 2003, and its coach for the past two years."

"Although Donnie Walsh is denying reports that he has agreed to a deal with the Knicks, a person close to the Pacers CEO told the Daily News Tuesday that Walsh has been offered the job."

"Walsh is expected to eventually make his way back to New York, to complete the circle to where his basketball career began at Fordham Prep in the Bronx in the 1950s. Though there have been reports that a deal has been reached, Newsday has learned Walsh and the Garden have yet to come to terms on a contract that will hand him the reins of one of the NBA's most important and desperate franchises."

"Already entrenched as a joke franchise that can't get out of its own way, on or off the basketball court, the Knicks risk even further humiliation if Donnie Walsh keeps Isiah Thomas on board as coach when he takes over as team president."

"Donnie Walsh didn't want to step on Larry Bird's toes. Who's to say he'd be willing to trample on Isiah Thomas'. Walsh is expected to be introduced as the Knicks' new president, perhaps as early as this week. An Indiana Pacers official contacted by the Daily News Monday night confirmed an ESPN report that Walsh has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract. Neither Walsh nor the Knicks would comment on the report."

"Just hours after stepping down from his job as Pacers president yesterday, Bronx-born Donnie Walsh is expected to be heading home to become the Knicks' president. Hours after Walsh announced he was leaving the Pacers, an ESPN News report last night cited a source as saying Walsh will accept a three-year, $15 million deal with the Knicks after the season that likely spells the end of the disastrous Isiah Thomas Era. "

"Donnie Walsh severed ties with the Indiana Pacers on Monday, making him the leading candidate to run the Knicks — assuming the job is open and that Walsh is sufficiently intrigued."

"If Donnie Walsh, soon to be gone from the Indiana Pacers, is coming home to New York, can we foresee a day when a game between the Knicks and the Nets will be more compelling than Monday night’s matchup of a longtime playoff team in transition (Nets) and a terrible one submerged in the draft lottery tank?"

"Monday's news that Donnie Walsh is leaving Indiana changes that, of course. When it has come to doing what's wrong for the Knicks, Dolan never disappoints, but Walsh coming to the Garden, as a Pacers official confirmed last night, is the exception to the rule, where Dolan actually is hiring the right person for the job. Of course, this goes against everything Dolan stands for."

"Change was in the air Monday night at the Garden after Donnie Walsh closed one door behind him after more than two decades in Indiana to possibly walk through the door the Knicks have opened in front of him. ESPN reported late Monday that Walsh, who somewhat surprisingly cut ties Monday with a franchise he helped take to six Eastern Conference finals, one NBA Finals, and four division titles, will sign a three-year, $15 million deal to become the Knicks' chief executive."

"Donnie Walsh is not out of the Knicks' picture, but they have become his fallback choice. It's clear Walsh prefers to return to Indiana, and the Pacers CEO indicated that sentiment to The Post Saturday night when he reluctantly broke his weeklong silence. "

"With Walsh out of the picture, Dolan has plenty of names to choose from. Jerry West, who according to sources has not been contacted by the Knicks, remains a strong possibility. Jerry Colangelo wants the job and Nets assistant GM Kiki Vandeweghe is also in the mix. Dolan may even take a look at Nets president Rod Thorn and Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld."

"The latest interesting name is Larry Bird, who is being pushed out of an executive chair in Indiana and might want to return to coaching, an area in which he fared better (remember when he coached the Pacers to within a few minutes of a Game7 win over the Bulls in the 1998 playoffs?) Then there's Mike Krzyzewski, Chicago's very own, who might be getting sick of smallish, undertalented teams and early-round NCAA tournament losses at Duke."

"Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh, who met with Dolan less than two weeks ago about replacing Knicks president Isiah Thomas, is leaning toward remaining with the Pacers, according to a team source. Walsh had an eight-hour meeting on Friday with the Pacers' co-owners, Herbert and Melvin Simon, and could have a deal announced by the end of the week."

"Slow down on that Donnie Walsh press conference. A source close to Walsh told The Post yesterday the Pacer exec wants discussions about his future to occur after Indiana's season is over so as not to create any more distractions than they already have."

"As long as Garden chairman James Dolan allows Walsh that freedom, the Knicks have a chance to start traveling the long road back. But if Dolan says he will continue to be involved (read: meddle), or insists that Walsh conform to the Garden's way of doing business, Walsh likely will not be coming to New York."

"The former general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers and former president / general manager of Memphis Grizzlies, Jerry West, is going to turn 70 on May 28... Donnie Walsh, the CEO and president of the Indiana Pacers, turned 67 on March 1."

"Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh met Friday with his team's co-owners, Herbert and Melvin Simon, to work out a deal that could keep Walsh in Indiana and prevent him from replacing Isiah Thomas in New York. The Simon brothers would prefer to keep Walsh and have him reassume control over personnel decisions from Pacers president Larry Bird... Other candidates include Nets assistant GM Kiki Vandeweghe, former Knick players Greg Anthony and Mark Jackson, former Sixers GM Billy King, Nuggets VP of basketball operations Mark Warkentien and perhaps even former Knicks president Ernie Grunfeld, who is with Washington."

"Donnie Walsh's sense of urgency about coming to New York doesn't nearly match the hype. In fact, Walsh's feelings seem more akin to the Knicks' sense of urgency to win as the season winds down."

"The Knicks want what the Indiana Pacers want - Donnie Walsh. But while Walsh staying with the Pacers seems like the most logical choice, there are several mitigating factors that could lead Walsh to replace Isiah Thomas in New York. There is also one reason Walsh might have second thoughts about the Knicks - James Dolan. "

"Donnie Walsh is hoping for a quick resolution regarding his future, and one of three scenarios has the Indiana Pacers CEO replacing Knicks president Isiah Thomas as soon as next week, according to a person close to Walsh. Talks between Walsh and the Knicks could intensify now that the Milwaukee Bucks severed ties with general manager Larry Harris Wednesday. The Daily News reported in Wednesday's editions that Milwaukee had been privately negotiating with Walsh. "

" “We’re talking about restructuring, rethinking, all the things you do when your team is in crisis,” Herb Simon, who owns the team with his brother Mel, recently told The Star. “We’re going to be having a series of meetings and we’re going to make changes, yes.” How far those changes go should be known in the coming weeks, but it is possible that Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird — the team’s top two basketball executives — could be gone."

"Isiah Thomas, the Knicks’ coach and president, dodged several questions from reporters Wednesday about his future with the team amid reports that the longtime Indiana Pacers executive Donnie Walsh may join the Knicks as the team president."

"If James Dolan is serious about hiring Donnie Walsh, he may have to get a deal done quickly. Walsh, the Indiana Pacers CEO, has already had talks with the Milwaukee Bucks about replacing general manager Larry Harris, the Daily News has learned. A Knicks official revealed Tuesday that the team is well aware that Milwaukee and at least one other club - possibly Atlanta - have reached out to Walsh. "

"He's Teflon Thomas no more. Isiah Thomas was fuming over reports Knicks owner James Dolan has flirted with Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh, Thomas' former boss in Indiana, according to a source. "

"James L. Dolan remains publicly silent regarding the fate of Isiah Thomas and the future of the Knicks. But his intentions are coming into focus, and they almost certainly include removing Thomas as the team’s president. Dolan, the Madison Square Garden chairman, has spoken with the Indiana Pacers’ Donnie Walsh about running the Knicks, according to a person with ties to Walsh."

"Less than two weeks after Indiana Pacers co-owner Herb Simon promised offseason changes, team president Larry Bird said Monday he can't be certain whether he will return next season... The New York Daily News reported Monday the Knicks might be interested in having Walsh replace Isiah Thomas as team president."

"A person who spoke with Donnie Walsh yesterday told The Post the Pacers' CEO expects to speak with the Knicks about the potential presidency later on this week. And that may not be for the first time."

"The Knicks have had preliminary talks with Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh about him replacing Isiah Thomas as team president, the Daily News has learned... The Knicks also reached out to Nets assistant GM Kiki Vandeweghe last month. And there is a possibility that the team could contact other candidates, including former Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo, 76ers GM Billy King, former Knick Mark Jackson and ESPN analyst Greg Anthony."

" It is a distinction worth noting, since Walsh is among the N.B.A. executives who are most often mentioned as potential replacements for Thomas, assuming that Thomas is fired after the season. Walsh serves as the Pacers’ chief executive after two decades as general manager. He essentially works on a year-to-year handshake agreement with the team’s owners, Mel and Herb Simon, making him a potential free agent every summer."

"Meeting with Walsh may have been Dolan's first interview with a select few of the NBA's relevant leaders, or he may have been last. Who knows, Nets' adviser Kiki Vandeweghe may have been first, as has been reported. Maybe Dolan flew out to Phoenix to see Jerry Colangelo. Or out to L.A. to visit with Jerry West. Or to Portland to convene with Steve Patterson. Or to Cleveland to get to know Wayne Embry. "

"One team that might be interested in talking to Walsh visits Conseco Fieldhouse tonight -- the New York Knicks. The New York Daily News is reporting today that the Knicks want to speak to Walsh, a fixture in the Pacers organization since 1984, about possibly succeeding Isiah Thomas as their president."

"The most attractive free agent on the market this summer to the Knicks may very well be Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh. The New York-born executive is expected to postpone his retirement and already has drawn interest from two clubs, according to a person close to Walsh. The Knicks also are expected to reach out to Walsh, 67, about possibly succeeding team president Isiah Thomas, whom Walsh hired to coach the Pacers prior to the 2000-01 season. "

"It's time to start over. Get rid of Jermaine O'Neal. He has been a solid citizen and an All-Star when healthy, but he's the one player who has semi-significant value on the open market."

"Walsh's status with the franchise after this season is up in the air. Simon said he and Walsh are in the midst of a long conversation, which will probably be "resolved in the next couple of weeks." Walsh, who routinely attends practices, has moved his seat from near the court to a suite during games."

"The Indiana Pacers got a victory Friday and now it looks like they're about to get some help in the backcourt. Guard Flip Murray, who was waived by the Detroit Pistons last week, is expected to sign with the Pacers today."

"The Bulls have been looking for that player for the last few years without much success. The biggest names that might be on the market this summer are Jermaine O'Neal of the Pacers and Tracy McGrady of the Rockets."

"Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird said Friday his team lacks a true leader and he is looking to improve the mediocre roster this summer... The Pacers are expected to try again to trade O'Neal this summer."

"Bird is having a difficult time pulling off a trade because the two players the Pacers wouldn't mind moving -- Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley -- are both injured."

"Any trade conversation involving the Pacers begins with Jermaine O'Neal... The Pacers are making and listening to calls about him -- again -- but they have yet to find a deal they like. They've recently spoken with Golden State, New Jersey and Sacramento."

"There have been rumors that the Nets have been trying to talk the Pacers into taking Carter in exchange for Jermaine O'Neal, but Indiana hasn't budged. A report on ESPN.com last night also said that the Nets, Knicks and Heat have had discussions about a three-way deal that would send Carter to the Knicks, Eddy Curry to Miami and the expiring contracts of Jason Williams and Ricky Davis to New Jersey. "

"Several point guards reportedly are available, including Philadelphia's Andre Miller, Memphis' Kyle Lowry, Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley and Portland's Jarrett Jack. Memphis swingman Mike Miller also is considered available, though Riley downplayed that possibility last week."

"Meanwhile, the Nets will continue to wheel until Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline. Sources throughout the league say Kiki Vandeweghe is generating a heated rush of discussions involving Jermaine O'Neal, Jamaal Tinsley, Mike Miller and Nene... With Kidd apparently spoken for, the player drawing the most attention from promising title contenders is Philly's Andre Miller. Nuggets, Cavaliers and Rockets are sincere suitors - Celtics feel they're first in line for Sam Cassell - but not serious enough to offer more than expiring contracts and a first-round pick in the 20s."

"The on-and-off talks with Indiana involving Jermaine O'Neal -- recently rumored to be on again -- appear to be dying a quick and quiet death. According to those familiar with the particulars, the Nets aren't entirely against swapping Vince Carter and spare parts for O'Neal, even if the Pacers big man has $44.3 million coming to him in the next two seasons. "

"The Pacers and New Jersey Nets couldn't work out a deal for O'Neal last summer. That rumor is still being talked eight months later. The latest trade rumor has O'Neal going to the Nets for Vince Carter."

"But in pursuit of that chance, will he succumb to the temptation to do something by the Feb. 21 deadline, such as snatching Ron Artest for a reported offer of Eddy Curry and Jerome James (which also would require the Knicks to take Kenny Thomas, who has two years and $16.5 million left on his contract)? Would he make another run at Jermaine O'Neal or try to snatch Ben Wallace from the Bulls -- who already fleeced two lottery picks from him in the 2005 deal for Curry?"