OFF AGAIN??? Is it still just speculation?

[IndyDave02]

http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports- ... ers.Trade/

The Pacers are now denying the trade with Toronto. AGGGGHHHHHH--

Here is the story:

Pacers call O'Neal trade "speculation"

Thu Jun 26, 12:12 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers denied on Thursday reports of a deal to trade six-time All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal to the Toronto Raptors for point guard T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in the draft and a player to be named.

The deal was reported by Yahoo, citing an unidentified NBA executive, and The Indianapolis Star, which cited a person familiar with the talks that it did not name.

Pacers spokesman David Benner said those reports were premature.

``There is no trade to announce. It is all speculation,'' Benner told The Associated Press.

Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo told The Canadian Press on Wednesday that he was in the midst of ``four or five'' conversations with teams involving Ford and a combination of Toronto's No. 17 pick and/or other Raptors players leading up to Thursday night's draft.

Please see link above for rest of story

[YogiStewart]

that would be incredibly strange if it was just a rumour.

of course, Indy may be covering its tracks if it plans on packaging its two picks for a higher pick OR if they have their eye on someone at 17 and they think another team may sabotage their pick.

[BasherMan]

Seeing as the trade can't be made official until July 9th, I would assume that, by definition, the trade is speculaiton.

I wouldn't read too much into this report.

[joew8302]

Man, what a bizarre story with so many twists and turns. There is just way too much smoke here for there not to be a fire. I think this is a done deal.

[PR07]

It's done. They just can't comment on it until it's official.

[count55]

JO confirmed in Mike Well's Blog that the deal was a done deal.

The Pacers and Raps cannot confirm until it's official.

[PR07]

Nice find Count.

I can't help but get a tingly feeling when I read this line:

O’Neal said when he’s done playing, he plans to retire as a Pacer.

[FreeRon]

Unless he puts up huge numbers in Toronto, makes multiple All-Star games, and wins a Championship, I wouldn't be surprised with him wanting to retire a Pacer. He always said he liked things here and we gave him his first real shot at becoming a star, he just didn't fit in with a rebuilding team and I completely understand him wanting out. And when he slipped and said he wanted out last year he went back and clarified that he wasn't demanding a trade, he just didn't want to be part of a rebuilding team. He stuck around and didn't whine when we couldn't get anything of value for him, so I'm really rooting for him this year.

[joew8302]

The thing is do you really believe he is a Hall of Famer? It is nice to read he still thinks fondly of the organization, but when it is all said and done will it really matter?