Pacers' O'Neal Wants Out

While working a summer job to help pay bills and make ends meet, I received an email from the Indiana Pacers' media department quoting the Pacers' Larry Bird regarding Pacers' center Jermaine O'Neal's request to be traded (if not to his first choice -- the Los Angeles Lakers, then the New Jersey Nets).

Here's the link to the article posted on Indy.com; but, here's the complete statement from Larry Bird:

“In response to Jermaine O’Neal’s published comments today regarding a trade, we have stated repeatedly that if we can make our team better through a trade, we will do so. Jermaine has become an All-Star player with the Indiana Pacers and in any discussions regarding him or any of our other players, the expectations for the franchise and our fans is to receive fair market value in return if a trade is to be considered.

“Jermaine has worked out very hard this summer while rehabilitating his knee after surgery. We believe under Jim O’Brien that our team as a whole and Jermaine as a player can be successful. You never know what will happen, but for now Jermaine is an Indiana Pacer.”

I still don't see the Lakers giving up Andrew Bynum in a trade (why the Lakers are so set in keeping Bynum, I have no idea); but, stranger things have happened. However, the part of Bird's statement I find interesting is the ending -- 'but for now Jermaine is an Indiana Pacer.'