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02-24-2005, 12:30 AM
Link (http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/224359-9769-179.html)
Pacers eye Toronto's Marshall
By Mark Montieth
[email protected]
February 23, 2005
ORLANDO -- The odds are still against the Indiana Pacers doing a deal before Thursday's NBA trade deadline. But if they do, it could involve Toronto forward Donyell Marshall.
Marshall is anxious to leave the Raptors, and several NBA teams would like to have the fourth pick in the 1994 draft.
The 6-9 Marshall is averaging 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds off the Raptors' bench, hitting .405 from 3-point range and 80 percent from the foul line. He's in the last year of a contract that pays him about $5.3 million this season, which makes him appealing to other teams.
Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Tuesday that team president Larry Bird has had serious conversations about Marshall but added it was unclear whether the Raptors were seeking players who can provide immediate help, expiring contracts or future draft picks.
One discussed scenario would send Marshall to the Pacers for Scot Pollard, who has one more season on his contract. The Pacers, however, would lose a valuable veteran center for a player who might only be with them for the remainder of the season, and would then have to rely heavily on rookie David Harrison.
They also would add to their glut of forwards, one that would only grow if Ron Artest is allowed to return this season.
More recently, the teams have discussed a larger deal. Marshall told reporters from the Toronto Sun on Tuesday evening that his agent, Andy Miller, is trying to convince the Raptors to do a deal that would include Marshall and Milt Palacio for Austin Croshere, Anthony Johnson and James Jones.
Toronto would have to include at least one more player in that deal to make the salaries match, however.
Miami also is hotly pursuing Marshall, regarding him as a player who can make it a title contender. The Heat have discussed trading Michael Doleac, Malik Allen and Wesley Person for Marshall. Another scenario has Miami including rookie guard Dorell Wright in a deal.
Pacers can only wait
NBA commissioner David Stern, asked over the All-Star break in Denver about the possibility of Artest being allowed to play this season, said the Pacers haven't applied for reinstatement.
That doesn't mean the Pacers haven't made known their desire for Artest's return, however. With no formal process in place for requesting reinstatement, there's little else they can do.
"We're trying to do the right things," Walsh said. "We have to let certain things happen, and then at some point we'll probably inquire."
Artest told some fans in casual conversation that he'll be back this season but told The Star he has received no indication from the NBA that will happen.
Pollard gets rest
With Miami's Shaquille O'Neal possibly looming at Conseco Fieldhouse tonight, Pollard got the night off against Orlando.
O'Neal sprained his knee in the first quarter of the Heat's game at Chicago on Tuesday, and his status for tonight's game against the Pacers is uncertain. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle didn't know that before the game, however, so he rested Pollard in favor of Harrison.
Pollard started when the Pacers played at Miami last month, and finished with eight points and nine rebounds
Pacers eye Toronto's Marshall
By Mark Montieth
[email protected]
February 23, 2005
ORLANDO -- The odds are still against the Indiana Pacers doing a deal before Thursday's NBA trade deadline. But if they do, it could involve Toronto forward Donyell Marshall.
Marshall is anxious to leave the Raptors, and several NBA teams would like to have the fourth pick in the 1994 draft.
The 6-9 Marshall is averaging 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds off the Raptors' bench, hitting .405 from 3-point range and 80 percent from the foul line. He's in the last year of a contract that pays him about $5.3 million this season, which makes him appealing to other teams.
Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Tuesday that team president Larry Bird has had serious conversations about Marshall but added it was unclear whether the Raptors were seeking players who can provide immediate help, expiring contracts or future draft picks.
One discussed scenario would send Marshall to the Pacers for Scot Pollard, who has one more season on his contract. The Pacers, however, would lose a valuable veteran center for a player who might only be with them for the remainder of the season, and would then have to rely heavily on rookie David Harrison.
They also would add to their glut of forwards, one that would only grow if Ron Artest is allowed to return this season.
More recently, the teams have discussed a larger deal. Marshall told reporters from the Toronto Sun on Tuesday evening that his agent, Andy Miller, is trying to convince the Raptors to do a deal that would include Marshall and Milt Palacio for Austin Croshere, Anthony Johnson and James Jones.
Toronto would have to include at least one more player in that deal to make the salaries match, however.
Miami also is hotly pursuing Marshall, regarding him as a player who can make it a title contender. The Heat have discussed trading Michael Doleac, Malik Allen and Wesley Person for Marshall. Another scenario has Miami including rookie guard Dorell Wright in a deal.
Pacers can only wait
NBA commissioner David Stern, asked over the All-Star break in Denver about the possibility of Artest being allowed to play this season, said the Pacers haven't applied for reinstatement.
That doesn't mean the Pacers haven't made known their desire for Artest's return, however. With no formal process in place for requesting reinstatement, there's little else they can do.
"We're trying to do the right things," Walsh said. "We have to let certain things happen, and then at some point we'll probably inquire."
Artest told some fans in casual conversation that he'll be back this season but told The Star he has received no indication from the NBA that will happen.
Pollard gets rest
With Miami's Shaquille O'Neal possibly looming at Conseco Fieldhouse tonight, Pollard got the night off against Orlando.
O'Neal sprained his knee in the first quarter of the Heat's game at Chicago on Tuesday, and his status for tonight's game against the Pacers is uncertain. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle didn't know that before the game, however, so he rested Pollard in favor of Harrison.
Pollard started when the Pacers played at Miami last month, and finished with eight points and nine rebounds