NBA Articles - Off-Season at a Glance: Eastern Conference - BBC Indiana Pacers

Off-Season at a Glance: Indiana Pacers

By SheedsWeed, Rashod. / Bballcentral.com Writing Staff
Like the article? Hate it? Want to discuss the article? Click Here

Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers
Ever since Ron Artest's brawl in Detroit, it seems like the Indiana Pacers have been declining season after season. After Ron Artest was traded for Peja Stojakovic, it seemed like all the Pacers had to worry about was re-signing Peja in the off-season and not Artest's anger management issue. Peja seemed like a lock to return to the team that traded for him, but declined to after being offered a five year, $64 million deal to play basketball in New Orleans/Oklahoma City, in which Peja signed. It wasn't a total loss though, Indiana managed to get a trade exemption worth roughly eight million, and that will likely play a role in the current talks about Al Harrington to Indiana, a deal which seems certain to happen.

But to look back on the Pacers' draft, it was fairly well. Having the number seventeen pick in the first round, the Pacers selected Memphis forward Shawne Williams, a versatile player that can play multiple positions. Then at pick number thirty-one, the Pacers made James White, an exceptional athlete with outstanding speed, and extreme leaping ability. Then, after the draft, the Pacers made their first trade with the Dallas Mavericks. It was ten year player Austin Croshere leaving, and Marquis Daniels, only a third year player, arrived in Indiana. But the dealing between Indiana and Dallas wasn't over. Later, both teams pulled the trigger on a trade involving Darrell Armstrong, Rawle Marshall, and Josh Powell going to Indy, and Anthony Johnson going to Mark Cuban's Mavs. It definitely was a questionable trade, seeing as Jamal Tinsley was often injured the past year. It would also make the Pacers thin at the point guard position. This off-season finally was when the Pacers waived Jonathan Bender, a player who made millions while on the injured reserve. And just recently, the Pacers lost out on guard Fred Jones, after he signed out in Toronto.

Indiana's other free agents include Scott Pollard, and Eddie Gill. So far it's been a questionable off-season for the Indiana Pacers, however, the off-season is not over, and maybe adding Al Harrington will make them forget about Peja, and Fred Jones. We'll have to see.

Players Added
Draft - Shawne Williams (draft pick number nineteen), James White (draft pick number thirty-one)
Free Agency - Al Harrington?
Trades - Al Harrington? Traded Anthony Johnson for Darrell Armstrong, Rawle Marshall, and Josh Powell. Traded Austin Croshere for Marquis Daniels.
Free Agents - Eddie Gill, Scott Pollard
Players Lost - Fred Jones (to Toronto via free agency), Anthony Johnson (trade), Austin Croshere (trade)

Back to Off-Season Article Home

Read More NBA Articles

Like the article? Hate it? Want to discuss the article? Click Here