Pacers aren't done with trade market
Team hopes to gain power forward, deal Tinsley before next season
By Mike Wells
The Indiana Pacers began introducing new players Tuesday.
Team president Larry Bird said he isn't finished remaking the roster, however.
Bird said he hopes to trade for or sign a power forward and is confident he can trade point guard Jamaal Tinsley.
"As we made deals, we knew we were probably going to have an area that we needed to still address, and right now it's a power forward that can score down low," Bird said after Roy Hibbert and Brandon Rush -- two of the seven players the team acquired through trade -- were introduced. "Hopefully we're not done this summer."
The Pacers have 16 players under contract -- one over the maximum allowed during the season. Team officials said they can fill the hole at power forward through a trade because the Pacers have expiring contracts and a $2.7 million trade exception to offer teams. The Pacers also have their mid-level exception, which is about $5.9 million, to spend on a free agent. Bird said he will probably use only part of the exception if the Pacers use it at all.
"There's different ways we can take care of our needs," general manager David Morway said. "I think at this point, we're looking at the trade market at the moment."
The Pacers tried to solve both issues in one deal by offering Tinsley to Miami for power forward Udonis Haslem, but the Heat are reluctant to give up Haslem.
"We're talking to some teams, but it depends on if they are going to make the decision or not," Bird said. "We'll see where it goes."
Pacers officials said they expect to be able to trade Tinsley because 10 or 12 teams need a point guard. How soon that happens might depend on whether the Memphis Grizzlies trade one of their three young point guards -- Mike Conley Jr., Kyle Lowry or Javaris Crittenton.
Teams looking for a point guard might prefer to acquire one of the young Grizzlies.
Bird said Tinsley has lost weight and has passed physical tests by team trainers.
"It was obvious after the trades they made that they are trying to reshape the team, and we understand that," Tinsley's agent, Raymond Brothers, said. "We have a lot of respect for Larry Bird and David Morway because they have treated (Tinsley) well. David continues to check on him on a weekly basis."
Call Star reporter Mike Wells at (317) 444-6053.
Team hopes to gain power forward, deal Tinsley before next season
By Mike Wells
The Indiana Pacers began introducing new players Tuesday.
Team president Larry Bird said he isn't finished remaking the roster, however.
Bird said he hopes to trade for or sign a power forward and is confident he can trade point guard Jamaal Tinsley.
"As we made deals, we knew we were probably going to have an area that we needed to still address, and right now it's a power forward that can score down low," Bird said after Roy Hibbert and Brandon Rush -- two of the seven players the team acquired through trade -- were introduced. "Hopefully we're not done this summer."
The Pacers have 16 players under contract -- one over the maximum allowed during the season. Team officials said they can fill the hole at power forward through a trade because the Pacers have expiring contracts and a $2.7 million trade exception to offer teams. The Pacers also have their mid-level exception, which is about $5.9 million, to spend on a free agent. Bird said he will probably use only part of the exception if the Pacers use it at all.
"There's different ways we can take care of our needs," general manager David Morway said. "I think at this point, we're looking at the trade market at the moment."
The Pacers tried to solve both issues in one deal by offering Tinsley to Miami for power forward Udonis Haslem, but the Heat are reluctant to give up Haslem.
"We're talking to some teams, but it depends on if they are going to make the decision or not," Bird said. "We'll see where it goes."
Pacers officials said they expect to be able to trade Tinsley because 10 or 12 teams need a point guard. How soon that happens might depend on whether the Memphis Grizzlies trade one of their three young point guards -- Mike Conley Jr., Kyle Lowry or Javaris Crittenton.
Teams looking for a point guard might prefer to acquire one of the young Grizzlies.
Bird said Tinsley has lost weight and has passed physical tests by team trainers.
"It was obvious after the trades they made that they are trying to reshape the team, and we understand that," Tinsley's agent, Raymond Brothers, said. "We have a lot of respect for Larry Bird and David Morway because they have treated (Tinsley) well. David continues to check on him on a weekly basis."
Call Star reporter Mike Wells at (317) 444-6053.
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