--Point guard Jamaal Tinsley may no longer be part of the team, but the Pacers will still be affected by him for the next two seasons. Tinsley's $10.7 million buyout will account for roughly $5.1 million of the Pacers' salary cap next season and about $5.6 million in the 2010-11 season. Tinsley is saving the Pacers $4 million because he was scheduled to make $14.7 million during the next two seasons before agreeing to the buyout.
--Despite wanting to bring him back for at least two more seasons, the Pacers decided not to match the Toronto Raptors' four-year, $20-million offer sheet to G Jarrett Jack. The Pacers would have been in a tough position financially if they matched Toronto's offer because they want to avoid going over the league's $69.9 million luxury tax threshold. "It was a very difficult decision because Jarrett proved last season what he can bring to a team," team president Larry Bird said in a statement this afternoon. "We thank Jarrett for his contributions to the Pacers, both on and off the court, and wish him the best in Toronto."
Jack, who averaged a career-high 13.1 points last season, said he wanted to return to the Pacers at the end of last season.
"I'm indebted to coach (Jim) O'Brien for what he did for me last season," Jack said. "Not only him, but also Larry Bird and (general manager) David Morway. They put me in the position to play well and get a long-term contract. I'll always be indebted to them."
--The Pacers wasted little time finding Jarrett Jack's replacement. They agreed to a one-year deal with G Earl Watson on July 17. Watson, who was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 17, averaged 6.6 points and 5.8 assists in 68 games last season. He'll back up starter T.J. Ford next season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't know anything about being a legend, but I know about the living part of it. The living part is the good part. I've been blessed. I'm heading into my 54th year of professional basketball. I've seen it all." -- Pacers longtime radio analyst and former head coach Bobby "Slick" Leonard, on being named one of Indiana's "Living Legends" on July 24.
