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Article from TSN.ca:
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/tim_chisholm/?id=275170

How can you not appreciate the fact that Indiana, a team beset by injuries like so many in their Conference, actually managed to make a push for the Playoffs after so many more talented teams simply laid down to die?

Travis Diener may opt-out? That's the first I have heard of that. Don't pull a Deshaun Stevenson now, Diener.

Nice article, thanks CB4

Bruno actually mentioned Diener possibly opting out in his most recent Pacers blog. I can't say that I would blame him from the standpoint of never getting consistent minutes from JOB. I also don't think that he's going to be able to go to another team and find those minutes though. I'd say his best bet would be to stick here and keep building on what we have. He's become somewhat of a fan favorite also.

There is a pretty good chance that 1 of Jack or Ford is gone, so I could actually see him getting some regular minutes next year.

I'd trade Ford if I could but I don't expect us to be able to get value. Jack is a free agent and while we'll want to keep him there are no guarantees. have to think there is a 50/50 chance or better that the draft will bring us a point though and Diener wouldn't want to be the number 4 point guard on the roster.

If Diener opts out, I think that he would be wise... He can get a multi year deal, and make more money than he would the next year... Personally, there is not much in this draft that I am looking at that I say, he will be the guy to run our team from the point better than Diener will next year... I just am not drinking anyones kool-aid... That being said, I think the likely hood of us drafting a PG is high, as that is all that is in this draft... I am hopeful that we can package our pick with TJ perhaps and get something to help us out in the front court...

bballpacen wrote:If Diener opts out, I think that he would be wise... He can get a multi year deal, and make more money than he would the next year... Personally, there is not much in this draft that I am looking at that I say, he will be the guy to run our team from the point better than Diener will next year... I just am not drinking anyones kool-aid... That being said, I think the likely hood of us drafting a PG is high, as that is all that is in this draft... I am hopeful that we can package our pick with TJ perhaps and get something to help us out in the front court...

My thoughts exactly. TJ + our pick, for a solid 4 who can play defense sounds perfect to me. I've become such a fan of Jarrett Jack in the past year that I will honestly be VERY disappointed in our front office if we don't find some way to keep him. I don't think the guy is a top-tier PG in the NBA or anything but he is the type of player that we need. He's got a great attitude, he never quits, and he's got quite a bit of talent as well.

Dunthreevy wrote:

bballpacen wrote:If Diener opts out, I think that he would be wise... He can get a multi year deal, and make more money than he would the next year... Personally, there is not much in this draft that I am looking at that I say, he will be the guy to run our team from the point better than Diener will next year... I just am not drinking anyones kool-aid... That being said, I think the likely hood of us drafting a PG is high, as that is all that is in this draft... I am hopeful that we can package our pick with TJ perhaps and get something to help us out in the front court...

My thoughts exactly. TJ + our pick, for a solid 4 who can play defense sounds perfect to me. I've become such a fan of Jarrett Jack in the past year that I will honestly be VERY disappointed in our front office if we don't find some way to keep him. I don't think the guy is a top-tier PG in the NBA or anything but he is the type of player that we need. He's got a great attitude, he never quits, and he's got quite a bit of talent as well.

While I agree with you here, unfortunately there may be some scenarios that could be out of our hands. If a young team that has cap space finds a desire to acquire him our hands could be tied.

It's all dependable, but I'd like him to stay, yet only if the price is decent. The last thing we need is extra future cap concern.