The Indiana Pacers have officially put an end to point guard Jamaal Tinsley's career with them. After insisting that he wouldn't buy out Tinsley's contract, Pacers president Larry Bird finally gave in and agreed to cut a $10.7 million check to the talented but injury-prone point guard on July 22. The Pacers avoided a July 27 arbitration hearing in New York by agreeing to cut Tinsley loose.
"This ends a very difficult period for all parties involved," Bird said in a statement. "We are pleased to have this resolved." The Pacers saved $4 million because Tinsley was scheduled to make $14.7 million in the final two years of his contract. Tinsley will become an unrestricted free agent once he clears waivers.
"Jamaal and I would like to thank the Pacers for working on a resolution to this, and Jamaal and I are sorry things didn't work out," Tinsley's agent, Raymond Brothers, said in a statement. "We both wish the Pacers the best of luck in the future."
Tinsley was a forgotten person to the Pacers even though he was still technically on the roster last season. They told him to stay away from the team and removed his nameplate from the locker room and shipped his belongings to his home in Atlanta last summer. They didn't include him in last season's media guide.
Tinsley, who hasn't played in a game since Feb. 5, 2008, averaged 10.4 points and 7.0 assists in eight seasons with the Pacers.
