Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

[Trophy]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100805/SPORTS04/8050427/1062/SPORTS04/Pacers-still-searching-for-a-point-guard-but-options-are-limited

Most NBA front offices slow down in August.

Not the Indiana Pacers'.

Team president Larry Bird said the Pacers are not resting or relaxing until they find a veteran point guard.

"You like to see if we can get something done, especially at the point position," Bird said. "We're talking to a lot of teams; there are some teams interested in what we have. We told people we weren't going to be in any hurry to do something."

More than 20 point guards have been traded or signed this NBA offseason, further limiting the Pacers' options. The Pacers likely will have to trade for a point guard because they don't have the money or roster space to sign one.

Cross Darren Collison of New Orleans and George Hill of San Antonio off your wish list. Officials from both teams told the Pacers they aren't available. All-Stars Chris Paul and Tony Parker never were an option.

When it's all said and done, embattled point guard T.J. Ford might be running the show again next season.

Here's a look at other possibilities:

Jose Calderon, Toronto

Calderon is a perfect fit for coach Jim O'Brien's system. He can shoot the 3-pointer and distribute the ball. The catch is his contract: three years, more than $29 million.

Jarrett Jack, Toronto

Jack had his best season as a Pacer, starting 53 games and appearing in all 82 during the 2008-09 season. He's familiar with the system, and the Pacers enjoyed playing with him.

Jose Juan Barea, Dallas

Barea likes to push the ball and he can score, as he played alongside Jason Kidd in the backcourt at times. He averaged nearly 20 minutes a game on a team that finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season.

Plus he would be under contract for only one season.

T.J. Ford, Pacers

Ford has been effective at times and might be the best available option remaining. Ford and O'Brien have a toxic relationship. O'Brien has demoted Ford to the bench each of the past two seasons.

The two might have to mend fences. Barring a trade, it appears Ford will be starting at the point for the third consecutive season.

At least until O'Brien decides to make a switch.

[BRushWithDeath]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

Thanks for another article that tells us absolutely nothing Mike Wells.

[Trophy]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

If Bird really spoke to many teams, wouldn't at least one trade go down?

It looks like Acie Law will no longer be a PG option. He's going to sign with Memphis.

[PacerPenguins]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

out of calderon barea and jack the person i would rather see in a uniform is jack. hes a great pg and if i remember he was good at defense too.

[pacergod2]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

Why don't we demote JOB before he can demote Ford. That would help solve our PG problem for this year until our options increase.

[DrFife]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

If Bird really spoke to many teams, wouldn't at least one trade go down?

It looks like Acie Law will no longer be a PG option. He's going to sign with Memphis.

Insurance (behind Mayo) for them to part with Conley?

[BRushWithDeath]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

out of calderon barea and jack the person i would rather see in a uniform is jack. hes a great pg and if i remember he was good at defense too.

No, he isn't.

[MillerTime]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

Collison and Hill are not available

I would stay far away from Calderon. Hes injury prone, weak on defence and has a huge contract.

I would be really interested in Hinrich (ive stated this many times). With all the PGs in Washington now, I think he'll be the most readily available. Arenas might possibly be available, but no one in the league would want him (and his contract)

[Sookie]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

Collison and Hill are not available

I would stay far away from Calderon. Hes injury prone, weak on defence and has a huge contract.

I would be really interested in Hinrich (ive stated this many times). With all the PGs in Washington now, I think he'll be the most readily available. Arenas might possibly be available, but no one in the league would want him (and his contract)

With Calderon, Price outplayed him pretty badly every time they faced each other. So why spend the millions there?

And Hinrich isn't worth the money. Maybe after this contract is over, but he's WAY too expensive for what he brings to the table.

[Smoothdave1]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

I still think the Pacers will either do one of the following two things:

-- Sign an older veteran (a guy like Mike James, Kevin Ollie, or maybe bring back Earl Watson) for a one year rental for cheap similar to what we did a few years ago when we brought in Kenny Anderson. If this is the case, I think Solomon Jones is on the outside looking in. He could be dealt as he has a relatively cheap contract and plenty of teams are always looking for size. Even if we waived him, it wouldn't kill us.

-- Go with point guard by committee where we have Ford likely starting with Lance and AJ as the backups at least initially.

I still think a trade is possible, especially after all of the funds earmarked for free agents have dried up. All of the major free agents have signed contracts and teams are starting to fill out their benches. Bird's patience will hopefully serve him well here, but I don't know that there are many options or a huge market for Ford.

The Pacers are reluctant to take back a long-term contract, which puts a guy like Calderon out of the picture. Jack would be an upgrade and may want to leave Toronto, especially since Bosh skipped town, but I don't know that Toronto is willing to give him up. The same may hold true for Barea too, as it might take a future pick to pick him up.

[Hicks]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

I'd be interested in Jack first, then either Barea or Calderon.

[bellisimo]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

does anyone expect anything from TJ Ford this year for the Pacers?

[Unclebuck]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

does anyone expect anything from TJ Ford this year for the Pacers?

I certainly don't. I'm sure Jim O'brien doesn't either and I'm sure Jim wants TJ gone, off the roster.

[HC]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

I would love to get JJ back. He is way better than anything on our roster, fits in well, and would still fit in well in the future if a true top tier pg is added to the roster.

[Speed]

Re: Pacers still searching for a point guard, but options are limited

I would love to get JJ back. He is way better than anything on our roster, fits in well, and would still fit in well in the future if a true top tier pg is added to the roster.

I agree, he's has all the qualities you want as a leader and he can step out of the starters role and it not be an issue.

He would be the ideal bridge PG in my mind. Getting JJ wouldn't keep you from pursuing a marquee player at PG position in the future (financially or team dynamics), nor would it keep you from developing from within (he would mentor AJ/Lance, I believe).

My main fear would be that he'd be played at a wing position too much, though, and possible take minutes away from the development process there.

I wonder if Toronto finds no takers for Calderons 3 year deal, if they'll more readily move JJ for a reasonable trade.

Problem is to stay under the salary cap a move for JJ almost has to be done in conjunction with something else. Another words, you'd have to cash in one of your other chips to faciliate the JJ move, likely.

The cost just might be too high in assets, right now, for something that is a difference maker in getting JJ, imo, but just not a huge one, in the big picture.