"Certainly we would hope to have him toward the beginning of the season," coach Jim O'Brien said. "We think that would be the best case scenario. There are different levels that he has to achieve on a weekly basis in order to take that next step. He has improved dramatically since it was diagnosed. If it continues to improve like that he'll have a full season, we hope."

--G Luther Head will have an opportunity to get significant minutes on the wing now that Mike Dunleavy is out the lineup indefinitely with a knee problem.

"I just want to go out there and play hard," Head said. "When Mike comes back, he's going to get his shot because of his past history of what he's done in the league. I just want to do what I can to help the team."

Head, a first-round pick in 2005, was released by the Rockets in February, then signed with the Miami Heat. He broke his left hand and missed the final eight regular-season games and the playoffs. He averaged a career-low 4.7 points in just 32 games.

"When I started in Houston, I was hurt there," Head said. "I'm just getting healthy now. It's a fresh start, a new start, rather than starting over."

--C Solomon Jones has a chance to overtake C Roy Hibbert to be the Pacers' starting center if he's willing put in the work on the court. Coach Jim O'Brien said the starting center position is wide open.

"It's not just between those two guys; Jeff (Foster) is also a possibility, too," O'Brien said. "I don't have any preconceived ideas of how that's going to play out. They're all going to get plenty of opportunities to get looks in game situations during the exhibition season."

Jones, who is in his fourth year, got limited playing time in his first three years with the Atlanta Hawks. He signed with the Pacers in the offseason because he likes how the coaching staff holds every player accountable.

"They play hard," he said. "They're going to come out and give it their all on the court every night. The coaching staff, they demand the best out of their players. Not taking anything from Atlanta, but they want the best from everybody on the court."

MEDICAL WATCH:

--G Mike Dunleavy is out indefinitely after a MRI revealed a "grade-2 strain." He's not expected to practice until sometime in November.

--F Tyler Hansbrough is also out indefinitely because of a lingering right shin injury, which happened while he was at the University of North Carolina.

--F Troy Murphy suffered a mild left ankle sprain in practice Sept. 29. Team officials say he'll be ready for the Oct. 8 game against the Denver Nuggets in Taipei.

--G Travis Diener injured his left big toe in practice Sept. 29. He sat out the team's preseason opener against Chicago on Oct. 2.

DRAFT PICKS:

Tyler Hansbrough, F, 6-9, North Carolina (first round) -- Pacers love Hansbrough's energy. He's been described as a young Jeff Foster with a better offensive game. Hansbrough's arrival means the Pacers are more likely to try to trade Foster.

A.J. Price, G, 6-2, Connecticut (second round) -- Price is a long shot to make the team since the Pacers already have two point guards on the roster and could have a third one if they re-sign Jarrett Jack.