Indiana Pacers Trade Rumors

Is Ford still in Bobcats' future?
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March 17
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Rick Bonnell
"I spoke with Pacers point guard T.J. Ford before Tuesday's game to check how close he thought he was to being joining the Bobcats at the trade deadline. Charlotte and Indiana were in discussions on a deal that would have sent Ford and Brandon Rush to Charlotte for D.J. Augustin, Gerald Henderson and Nazr Mohammed. Ford got a call from his agent as he was headed for a team flight informing him of the talks. The Bobcats ultimately decided against it, and I'm told that was about owner Bob Johnson's reluctance to take Ford's $8.5 million salary next season."
O'Brien not counting on Hansbrough this season
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February 28
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said he doesn't think rookie Tyler Hansbrough will return to the lineup this season. O'Brien, speaking on his weekly radio show on WFNI-1070 AM, said there's probably not enough time remaining in the season for Hansbrough to get back. "I'm not sure we're going to have Tyler back this year," O'Brien said. "His difficulties might last throughout this year. If he got better in three weeks, he would have to recondition and I don't know if it would be in his best interest to make a showing." Hansbrough has missed 23 of the past 27 games because of an inner ear infection. He suffered constant dizziness in the four games he played. Hansbrough has not been allowed ..."
Pacers' talks with Bobcats don't result in deal
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February 19
Indianapolis Star
 
"Soon after Thursday's trade deadline expired, Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. Ford posted this update on his Twitter page: "Sorry but trade rumors was just trade talk . . . Still a PACER!!!!" The Pacers thought they had a deal to send Ford and shooting guard Brandon Rush to the Charlotte Bobcats for point guard D.J. Augustin, swingman Gerald Henderson and center Nazr Mohammed. About 10 minutes before the 3 p.m. deadline, the Bobcats called it off. Team president Larry Bird, who declined to go into the specifics about proposals involving Ford or Troy Murphy, said they had conversations with "about 20 different teams." "We looked at what we were going to do in the future," Bird said, "and if ..."
Pacers-Bobcats deal falls through
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February 18
ESPN.com
 
"The Indiana Pacers were in talks to send T.J. Ford and Brandon Rush to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for D.J. Augustin, Gerald Henderson and Nazr Mohammed, a source close to the talks told ESPN.com. However, those talks fell apart in the last hour of the trade deadline, sources told ESPN.com. The Bobcats, who are making a strong push for the playoffs, felt like Ford would be an upgrade in their backcourt. Ford, who has fallen out of the starting lineup in Indiana, also would've provided insurance for the Bobcats with starting point guard, Raymond Felton, being an unrestricted free agent this summer."
Pacers unlikely to make a deal
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February 18
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien thinks the team that played the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night will be the same group that boards a plane for New Orleans today. The NBA's trade deadline is at 3 p.m. today, and O'Brien does not expect the team to make any deals. "I think as much as every team in the league wants to do some things to improve your basketball team, it just seems that it's very difficult to make deals and everybody wants to improve their basketball team, but when we go to New Orleans, this will be the group we will have," O'Brien said. The Pacers have been actively shopping forward Troy Murphy for some time. Murphy is working under the impression that he won't be traded. ..."
Pacers unlikely to make trade involving Troy Murphy
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February 18
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien thinks the team that played the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night will be the same group that boards a plane for New Orleans today. The NBA's trade deadline is at 3 p.m. today, and O'Brien does not expect the team to make any deals. "I think as much as every team in the league wants to do some things to improve your basketball team, it just seems that it's very difficult to make deals and everybody wants to improve their basketball team, but when we go to New Orleans, this will be the group we will have," O'Brien said. The Pacers have been actively shopping forward Troy Murphy for some time. Murphy is working under the impression that he won't be traded. ..."
Bucks' interest in Murphy waning?
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February 17
Yahoo! Sports
 (scroll down)
"The Milwaukee Bucks have shuffled their roster for several different offers for Indiana Pacers forward Troy Murphy, but a big stumbling block for a deal has been the Pacers' reluctance to take on guard Charlie Bell, who is due $7.8 million over the next two seasons. The impasse has some team officials skeptical that talks will be revived. Murphy, 29, has been on the Cleveland Cavaliers' list of targets, but the Cavs remain focused on deals for Phoenix's Amar'e Stoudemire or the Washington Wizards' Antawn Jamison."
Pacers just talking for now as trade deadline nears
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February 16
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers are making and receiving calls about forward Troy Murphy, but don't be surprised if Thursday's NBA trade deadline passes without them making a move. Every decision the Pacers make is with an eye toward the summer of 2011, when approximately $43 million in contracts expire, giving the team financial flexibility to sign free agents and make trades. The Pacers are looking for three things in a possible trade: » Expiring contracts. » A young player they believe fits into their future plans. » Draft picks. Murphy continues to be one of the most talked-about trade prospects. Murphy, Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire and Washington's Antawn Jamison have been linked to proposed deals ..."
Cavaliers trade talks heating up, may now include Richard Hamilton
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February 12
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Usually trades aren't completed or announced during All-Star Weekend so there may not be anything done until at least Monday. However, the Cavs have intensified trade talks over the past several days and have been making progress, according to sources. Several sources said the Cavs have included the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons in their conversations, possibly in an attempt to set up three-team deals. The Cavs' major targets are still believed to be forwards Antawn Jamison and Troy Murphy. But they also have had conversations about shooting guards and the talks with the Pistons could involve Richard Hamilton, who has been made available in recent weeks."
Pacers trade talk
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February 12
Indianapolis Star
 
"Some of you have asked what's been discussed between the Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks. Talks are in the very early stages. The two teams haven't even discussed what the Pacers would be getting in return for Murphy. I've been told that the Pacers are looking to acquire some young players that could possibly fit into their future plans or get expiring contracts in return for Murphy when talking to teams. The Bucks have a number of players in the final year of their contract."
Pacers asking for too much for Murphy
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February 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Pacers have work to do if they expect to be able to trade forward Troy Murphy before the Feb. 18 deadline. The Pacers have already tried to send him to Cleveland, but those talks didn't last long because they were asking for too much, according to a source. The Pacers wanted the Cavaliers to give up forward J.J. Hickson, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and multiple draft picks for Murphy, the source said."
T.J. Ford just wants to play
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January 24
Indianapolis Star
 
"T.J. Ford is approaching the possibility he could be traded by the Indiana Pacers in the next month as part of the business of the NBA. The starting point guard earlier in the season, Ford has been benched and hasn't played since Dec. 30 as Pacers coach Jim O'Brien has elected to go with Earl Watson as the starter and rookie A.J. Price as the backup. "The ball's in their court," Ford said when asked what he thought about a trade possibly coming before the end of the season. "Definitely, I want to play. If I'm not going to play here, if I can go somewhere else and play, then of course." Before Friday's game in Detroit, O'Brien was asked if there is a possibility the Pacers could move Ford ..."
Pacers might trade T.J. Ford
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January 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers might look to trade point guard T.J. Ford before the end of the season. The starter earlier in the season, Ford has been benched and has not played since Dec. 30. Asked before the Pacers' game against the Pistons on Friday night if a trade this season is a possibility, Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said, "I don't think there's any doubt. "He's a quality point guard. He could really help another franchise. It's not my decision to say what Larry decides, but certainly, I think we'd be open-minded." The final decision on a trade would be made by Pacers president Larry Bird. The NBA trading deadline is Feb. 18. Ford makes $8.5 million this year and has a player option for $8.5 ..."
Report of dispute, trade offer refuted
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January 12
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Well, you don't hear this around an NBA team every day: Timberwolves center Al Jefferson walked past teammate Kevin Love after Monday's morning shootaround, shouted out "Love you, Kevin," to which Love replied, "Love you, too, man." It was their playful response to a Yahoo! Sports report that Indiana refused a Wolves' Jefferson-for-Danny Granger trade offer, presented partly because Jefferson and Love are at odds with each other. Wolves boss David Kahn called the report "totally without merit" and said he will not offer any of his "core" players in trade until next summer. Kahn last week told Jefferson, through his agent, that he will not trade him this season, and Kahn met with Jefferson ..."
Wolves offered Pacers Jefferson for Granger
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January 11
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Minnesota Timberwolves general manager David Kahn recently offered forward Al Jefferson to the Indiana Pacers for forward Danny Granger, but was immediately rebuffed, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. While Pacers president Larry Bird remains determined to build around Granger, sources say Kahn has become increasingly dubious on making Jefferson a cornerstone for the Timberwolves. So far, Kahn has tried to undo almost everything from the Kevin McHale regime, and trading Jefferson would be another significant step in that direction. After rehabbing from a knee injury he suffered in February, Jefferson is still trying to work himself back to the elite form he showed last season when he had ..."
Danny Granger returns to practice after heel injury, expects to play soon
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January 8
Indianapolis Star
 (scroll down)
"The Pacers are slowly starting to get healthy. All 15 players practiced for the first time in about two years the past two days. All-Star Danny Granger (foot) is practicing and should return in about two weeks."
Pacers need Bird to take bold action
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January 6
Indianapolis Star
 columnist Bob Kravitz
"OK, Larry Bird. Your mess, your time to clean it up. Everybody knows Bird, the Indiana Pacers president, has absolutely no desire to leave his office and coach the motley collection of talent he has cobbled together for this lost 2009-10 season. But he has no real choice, not as his team continues to circle the drain, losing by 20 points, playing with neither pride nor passion. Tuesday night against Orlando? Yes, an astonishing aberration, a 97-90 victory that came out of nowhere. A career night for Roy Hibbert, who outplayed All-Star Dwight Howard. A solid two-way effort x from Brandon Rush. A glimpse into what-might-be if only the Pacers came to play every night, as opposed to once every ..."
Pacers' Price to get more time
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December 11
Indianapolis Star
 
"A.J. Price, in his thick New York accent, refers to his confidence as playing with a "swagger." It's an intangible that allows him to play his game -- up-tempo, attacking, aggressive on both ends of the court -- no matter whether he's facing Chris Paul or Steve Blake. It was on display Wednesday night, when Price helped the Indiana Pacers erase an 11-point deficit against Portland in a game they eventually lost. Pacers fans can expect to see more of it. Soon. "I'm going to find a way to get A.J. some minutes every game just because I think he's going to be a very good player and I think he's going to be a very good player quickly," coach Jim O'Brien said Thursday. "If that means I'm going ..."
Granger: Comeback "Going to be hard"
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December 11
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers Danny Granger said today that it will be tough for him not to rush back from his torn right plantar fascia. At the same time, though, Granger knows he'll be 100 percent healthy when he returns to the lineup after his rehabilitation, which could take up to six weeks. "It's going to be hard, I'm not going to lie to you," Granger said as he held himself up on crutches after practice today. "It will be very difficult, especially since I don't know where we'll be standing wise in the East when it's time for me to come back. I'm going to try and get back as soon as possible and hopefully we'll still be in playoff contention." Granger tore his plantar fascia in the third quarter of ..."
A painful trip in more ways than one
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December 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"It's bad enough that the Pacers went 0-4 on their trip out West. It's even worse when you're hit with the injury bug again. That's what happened when Danny Granger went to the ground in pain after aggravating his bruised right heel early the third quarter. Coach Jim O'Brien said Granger will get any MRI when they return to Indianapolis. The team was scheduled to fly back to Indy on Sunday morning after staying the night in L.A. Granger walked out the Staples Center with a walking boot on his right foot. "He's a key guy, leading scorer, biggest threat by far," O'Brien said. The Pacers have three days to think about how bad they played on the trip before hosting the Portland Trail Blazers at ..."
Granger aggrevates bruised right heel
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December 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers have more to worry about than another loss. The Pacers, who have dealt with injuries all season, suffered a major blowSaturday when forward Danny Granger sat out most of the second half in the 88-72 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after aggravating his bruised right heel. The 72 points was a season low for the Pacers. "We won't know more until he gets an MRI when we get back to Indianapolis," coach Jim O'Brien said. "He's a key guy, leading scorer, biggest threat by far." After taking a pass from Troy Murphy early in the third quarter, Granger took a couple of steps before going to the ground in obvious pain. He stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes before being ..."
Dunleavy's return to lineup nears
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November 27
Indianapolis Star
 
"Mike Dunleavy compared his smooth-looking jump shot to riding a bike: You never lose it once you have it down. The toughest part for Dunleavy, who has played in 18 games in the past 17 months, is getting into shape and working on his timing. The Indiana Pacers swingman is slowly getting those aspects of his game back, and with that said, Dunleavy could soon be making his long-awaited season debut. "I'm really close," Dunleavy said. "At this point I would say it's day-to-day." The Pacers host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse. Dunleavy is not expected to play. Some members of the Pacers organization have become quite eager for Dunleavy to return, especially with the ..."
Granger sprains left medial collateral ligament before game
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November 26
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers are getting used to these situations. They lose a player to injury, and rather than sulk about the situation, the next player or players in line step in and try to hold things down. This time it wasn't just any player in street clothes on the bench. The Pacers had to try to end their four-game losing streak without leading scorer Danny Granger. It was far from pretty, but the Pacers did enough to overcome the loss of Granger and get past a horrendous start to come from behind to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 86-73 on Wednesday night at Conseco Fieldhouse. "I have always thought throughout my career that winning ugly is probably a great step for your team to know it's ..."
LeBron as a Pacer? Why it's not likely
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November 20
Indianapolis Star
 
"Pick a team, almost any team, and LeBron James' name has been linked to it as a possible destination in next summer's much-anticipated free agent frenzy. (Speaking of which: Doesn't James look good in that Indiana Pacers jersey? It's even No. 6, a tribute to one of his favorite players, Julius Erving. Alas, this tricked-up photo will have to serve in place of reality.) James might play for a team other than Cleveland next year, but it won't be the Pacers. Why? James no longer is discussing free agency. Regardless, here are six reasons -- in honor of him changing his number next season -- his appearance tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse will be the exception, not the rule."
Griz sign former Pacers' point guard Jamaal Tinsley
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November 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace oversees a team that is shaky at the point and has little to no leadership in the locker room. The hope is that veteran floor general Jamaal Tinsley provides an upgrade in both of those areas. Wallace insisted Saturday that signing Tinsley to a one-year, veteran's minimum deal had nothing to do with Allen Iverson's weeklong leave of absence due to personal reasons. Either way, Iverson still isn't with the team and starting point guard Mike Conley entered Saturday's game against Minnesota as the weakest link to a 1-8 start to the season. "We just felt that (Tinsley's) experience and playmaking ability could be of benefit to us," Wallace said. "So we ..."
Pacers fire Director of Player Personnel Mel Daniels
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October 24
Indianapolis Star
 
"Mel Daniels was a fierce but undersized center who didn't back down, no matter how big or fast the opponent. He used that determination to dominate the paint and lead the Pacers to three American Basketball Association titles and secure his place among the greatest players in franchise history. That's what those close to Daniels recalled Friday after learning he was fired as director of player personnel. Pacers officials refused to explain their decision, and Daniels offered no comment. His salary was not known. Daniels, 65, spent nearly 30 years in the organization as a player or member of the basketball staff in roles such as scout and assistant coach. He is one of four Pacers players -- ..."
Pacers rookie Hansbrough, recovering from injury, practices for first time this preseason
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October 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"No one knows when Tyler Hansbrough will play in a game, but the Indiana Pacers rookie took a small step Thursday when he practiced for the first time this preseason. Hansbrough has been out since the end of July resting a right shin injury that occurred during his senior season at North Carolina. He was limited to half-court five-on-five drills Thursday. "He did some really good things," coach Jim O'Brien said. "He's very aggressive, pretty aware of what we're trying to do. It was great to have him be in any live activity." Hansbrough said it felt good to finally practice. "I've been wanting to get out there for a while," he said. "It's totally different when you get out there and actually ..."
No Target Date for Hansbrough's Return
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October 15
Indianapolis Star
 
"im O'Brien had a plan. Now he's going to a backup plan. The Indiana Pacers coach wanted to use a 10-man rotation to keep fresh legs on the court while playing at a fast pace. The pace won't change, but Mike Dunleavy's setback and rookie Tyler Hansbrough's ongoing shin problem likely will shrink the rotation. "We still have the ability to go 10 deep, but I don't know if we are there yet," O'Brien said. "If we were opening the season tonight, I don't know if I would go with a 10-man rotation." Dunleavy isn't expected to practice until next month. There is no timetable on Hansbrough. Danny Granger, T.J. Ford, Brandon Rush, Troy Murphy, Roy Hibbert, Solomon Jones, Earl Watson, Jeff Foster and ..."
Dunleavy has a setback with ligament strain
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September 28
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers guard Mike Dunleavy was right when he said isn't out of the woods with his right knee. Dunleavy's potential return for the regular-season opener next month hit a huge snag when a recent MRI revealed a "grade-2 strain." Dunleavy, a 19-point scorer two years ago, won't get on the practice court until November. The Pacers open the season Oct. 28 at Atlanta. "(The strain is) on the back of his ligament that only shows up on an MRI," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said after practice Sunday. "It's going to take some time for that to heal before he can get on the basketball court." Dunleavy, limited to 18 games last season, had surgery to remove a bone spur from his right patellar ..."
Hansbrough to be limited early in training camp
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September 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"Don't expect to see rookie Tyler Hansbrough doing much when the Pacers open training camp Saturday. Hansbrough won't be ready to take part in all the drills because of his right shin injury, which happened while he was North Carolina. "I think right now, the thing that is disappointing is that Hansbrough is not going to be ready," Pacers president Larry Bird said. "He's doing things, but as far as 5-on-5 goes, I think it'll be a little bit later. I think he'll be back during training camp, but he has to take it slow for a couple of weeks.""
Pacers sign Price
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September 16
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers signed their second-round draft pick (52nd pick overall) A.J. Price to a multi-year contract Thursday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Price, a 6-2, 181-pound guard from Connecticut, was named to the All-Big East second team and Big East All-Tournament team as a senior. Price averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds during his senior season."
Heat's meeting with Jamaal Tinsley is canceled
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August 1
Miami Herald
 
"The agent for free agent point guard Jamaal Tinsley said Friday he canceled a scheduled meeting this weekend between Tinsley and Heat president Pat Riley. Agent Raymond Brothers declined to give a reason but did not rule out the possibility of conversations with Miami being revived. On Thursday, Brothers said Riley and Tinsley were scheduled to meet, and that Tinsley had interest in signing with the Heat. Riley also confirmed, through a Heat representative, that there would be no meeting, but did not elaborate."
Heat cancels scheduled meeting between Riley and Jamaal Tinsley
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August 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Not at a stage where it is willing to move forward with a concrete offer, the Miami Heat has called off a scheduled weekend meeting with free-agent point guard Jamaal Tinsley. Heat President Pat Riley, who was to meet with the former Indiana Pacers starter, made the announcement through a team spokesman Friday. A 6-foot-3 playmaker, Tinsley, 31, was asked to remain away from the Pacers, with full pay, last season after a series of off-court incidents. Those incidents could leave him playing for the veteran's minimum of about $1 million this coming season. He earned $6.8 million last season, with a buyout from the Pacers of about $10 million. After losing out on Los Angeles Lakers ..."
Latest chatter: Sessions over A.I.?
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July 17
ESPN.com
 
"Here is the latest assemblage of chatter culled from conversations with a variety of knowledgeable sources -- front-office executives, coaches, players and agents -- camped at the NBA's annual summer league here in Vegas. The distinct vibe in the stands at UNLV's Cox Pavilion is that the Clippers -- apart from owner Donald Sterling -- would greatly prefer to add more of a set-up man to a backcourt rotation that already features Baron Davis and emerging star Eric Gordon as opposed to signing Allen Iverson to a one-year deal up to the full $5.9 million midlevel exception. The top choice in that scenario? Extending an offer sheet to restricted free agent Ramon Sessions. Yet as we covered here ..."
Pacers to announce signing of Jones
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July 14
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers have scheduled a news conference today to announce the signing of free agent guard Dahntay Jones. A defensive specialist who played last season for Denver, Jones agreed to a four-year, $11 million contract last week. A Pacers spokesman said the team will make an announcement regarding restricted free agent guard Jarrett Jack once a decision has been made about matching the four-year, $20 million offer Jack received from the Toronto Raptors over the weekend. The Pacers had seven days to reach that decision."
Pacers expected to sign free agent Dahntay Jones
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July 14
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers are expected to announce the free agent signing of guard Dahntay Jones on Tuesday. Jones, a defensive specialist, agreed to a four-year, $11-million contract with the Pacers last week. Jones averaged 5.4 points and 2.1 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets last season. A Pacers spokesman said the team will make an announcement regarding restricted free agent Jarrett Jack once they decide if they're going to match the four-year, $20-million offer by the Toronto Raptors over the weekend."
Time to go shopping
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July 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"The hill in the Eastern Conference continues to get steeper for the Pacers. Washington, Atlanta and Detroit have already made significant moves to improve their roster. You're not about to see president Larry Bird and general manager David Morway suddenly start hammering away on the panic button. The Pacers say be patient, they have a three-year plan. You're probably thinking that's easier said than done, especially since you haven't seen the Pacers in the playoffs since 2006. The Pacers are optimistic they'll be able to sign some good players this summer. They just plan on doing it with a "Dollar General" shopping mentality. Don't expect the Pacers, who have about $8 million to spend, to ..."
Pacers' priorities start from within
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July 1
Indianapolis Star
 
"The NBA's free agency period starts today, but the Indiana Pacers' shopping list is short. They have about $8 million to spend, and their priorities are to re-sign restricted free agent Jarrett Jack and stay below the luxury tax, expected to kick in at about $68 million next season. Team president Larry Bird said the Pacers are in the second year of a three-year rebuilding plan and have no intention of deviating. "We're going to get down below that and we're going to build with a young core group," Bird said. "Then we won't have any complaints to go forward with." The Pacers made qualifying offers to Jack and forward Josh McRoberts on Tuesday, giving them the right to match any offer ..."
Pacers make offers to Jack, McRoberts
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June 30
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers have made qualifying offers to guard Jarrett Jack and forward Josh McRoberts, giving the team the right to match any other offers the players' receive as restricted free agents. Team president Larry Bird has said he wants to re-sign both. Jack replaced T.J. Ford in the starting lineup for the final 12 games and ended the season averaging 13.1 points and 4.1 assists. Jack can play both guard spots."
Pacers won't pick up option on Marquis Daniels
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June 27
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers will not pick up Marquis Daniels' $7.5-million team option, a person with knowledge of the situation said today. Daniels, who has spent the past three seasons with the Pacers, will become an unrestricted free agent July 1. His salary was seen as relatively high for a reserve. The Pacers could re-sign Daniels to a multi-year contract at a lower annual salary during the free agency period. Daniels averaged 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 54 games last season."
Bird ready to play wait-and-see
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June 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indiana Pacers can't be too picky in Thursday's NBA draft. They've missed the playoffs three consecutive years, and their roster has multiple holes outside of All-Star Danny Granger. That's why team president Larry Bird hasn't pegged one position more important than another. "We need 'bigs' and we need a point guard and we need a wing player," he said Monday. "We'll probably take the best player available." Welcome to the life of trying to fix a team that has grown accustomed to starting its summer vacation in the middle of the April. The Pacers have the 13th pick, and Bird said he thinks three of the four players he likes will be available. He didn't identify the players, other than ..."
Bird eyes four candidates in NBA draft
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June 23
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird said he has his eye on four players, and he believes three of them will be available when they pick No. 13 in Thursday night's draft. "You have to see what happens in front of you, usually there's some guys that slide, and there's some holes we have to fill," Bird said this afternoon. "We need bigs and we need a point guard and we need a wing player. We'll probably take the best player available." Pittsburgh DeJuan Blair, North Carolina's Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough, VCU's Eric Maynor and Brandon Jennings, who played in Italy last season, are possible picks. Bird said he prefers toa player that spent three or four years in college."
Jennings takes unusual path to NBA draft
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June 19
Indianapolis Star
 
"Spend 15 minutes standing in the rain above and outside the Indiana Pacers' practice court at Conseco Fieldhouse, and what you see is the distilled essence of Brandon Jennings. There are moments when the young point guard looks like an emerging Tony Parker, a player with speed, flash, style and that unteachable something that leaves talent evaluators searching for the right adjectives. And then there are moments when Jennings, who bypassed college to spend a year playing pro in Italy, looks like all that style has left substance behind, when his decision making is beyond regrettable. Let's put it this way: While I don't know who the Pacers are going to take in next Thursday's NBA draft, ..."
Monday's workout and the soft side of DeJuan Blair -- update
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June 17
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Pacers worked out their best group of players Monday. The marquee attraction was at point guard where North Carolina's Ty Lawson, UCLA's Jrue Holiday, Wake Forest's Jeff Teague and Florida State's Toney Douglas worked out. Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair and Michigan State's Goran Suton were the big men the Pacers brought in. I hear (the media doesn't get to watch the workouts) Lawson looked the best of all the point guards because he has good court awareness and a natural feel for the position The knock against the former Tar Heel is his size. Lawson had a difficult time going against Holiday, who has four inches on him and is a superb athlete."
Vaden wants to join buddies in NBA
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June 12
Indianapolis Star
 
"Robert Vaden and his Pike High School teammates had more on their mind than just steamrolling the competition en route to winning the 2003 Class 4A state championship. They were thinking about bigger and better things. The team's starting five went on to play NCAA Division I basketball. They had their sights set on the NBA. Courtney Lee made it. Vaden is auditioning for the chance. He and five others worked out for the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. "Everybody from Pike, we all talked about it," Vaden said. "It would be a good relief to be in the league with all my friends." Indy's Magnificent Seven - Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., George Hill, Josh McRoberts, Eric Gordon, Rodney Carney and Lee ..."
Luke Zeller to work out with Pacers
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June 8
Indianapolis Star
 
"Former Indiana Mr. Basketball Luke Zeller is one of four players scheduled to work out for the Indiana Pacers Tuesday. Zeller, a 6-11 power forward from Notre Dame, was the 2005 Indiana Mr. Basketball after hitting a half-court shot at the buzzer to lift Washington to the Class 3A state title. Zeller averaged 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds as a senior for the Irish."
Pacers to pick 13th in draft
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May 20
Indianapolis Star
 
"As expected, the pingpong balls didn't bounce the Indiana Pacers' way in Secaucus, N.J., on Tuesday. The Pacers, who had less than a 1 percent chance of landing one of the top three picks, will have the No. 13 pick in the June 25 draft. Team president Larry Bird represented the franchise. The Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis and Oklahoma City will have the top three picks. The Grizzlies and Thunder moved up from sixth and fourth. Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, Spain's Ricky Rubio and Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet are projected to be the first three picks. The Pacers, who have missed the playoffs three straight years, hope this year's 13th pick will be as good as last year's pick. The Pacers ..."
NBA to honor Granger today
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May 12
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Danny Granger will cap off his stellar season today when he's named the NBA's Most Improved Player, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. Granger will be the third Pacer to win the award, joining Jalen Rose (2000) and Jermaine O'Neal (2002). A team spokesman said they had no comment on the scheduled 11:30 a.m. news conference set for today at Conseco Fieldhouse. The league waited to announce the award until Granger returned from his two-week vacation to Italy. Granger, who signed a $60-million contract extension last October, finished fifth in the league in scoring at 25.8 points a game. He's the first player in league history to ..."
Dunleavy could miss half of next season
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April 9
Indianapolis Star
 
"The last thing Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien claims to be is a doctor. One thing O'Brien believes, though, is swingman Mike Dunleavy will be out until at least January as he rehabilitates his injured right knee. "Nothing that I've heard has Michael coming back anytime before January," O'Brien said. "It's not even on my radar, Michael Dunleavy coming back. I have to approach next year like he's not coming back because you have to build a team." Dunleavy had surgery to remove a bone spur from his right patellar tendon and then had the tendon repaired last month in Colorado. He said there is no timetable on his return. "We're going to play two months of our schedule at least, at least, ..."