I've been doing some reading the last few days about some possible trade rumors that involve the Pacers.  The only problem with the rumors is that they just name teams and not possible players that would be coming back to the Pacers.

The three players that I have seen mentioned in the rumors are Jeff Foster, Troy Murphy, and TJ Ford.  It is pretty evident that the Pacers have fallen out of love with TJ Ford as he is now third on the depth chart for the point guards.  Jeff Foster and Troy Murphy both have contracts that fall off the books at the end of next season.

Foster was said to be a perfect fit in either Utah or Portland, but again no players were mentioned other than Foster.  So, I have taken the liberty to explore a few possibilities on my own and here is what I came up with:

Utah gets:  Foster and Dahntay Jones
Indiana gets:  CJ Miles, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Kyle Korver

I really don't see a one-for-one trade that works in this scenario unless it was just Foster for Korver.  In the scenario above, the Jazz will gain salary for the next few seasons, while getting rid of two expiring contracts in Korver and Fesenko.  I don't know that the Jazz want to bring on much salary right now though.

The second Foster scenario would send Foster to Portland.  Again, there isn't much in the way of one-for-one deals, unless the Pacers take on extended contracts.

Portland gets:  Foster, Travis Diener, and Dahntay Jones
Indiana gets:  Andre Miller and Travis Outlaw

From a few things that I have read about Portland, the common theme was that Brandon Roy was uncomfortable playing with Andre Miller in the backcourt.  How true is that?  I don't know, but Miller only has 21 starts this season.  I wouldn't read too much into that, but Miller had started every game except for one since the 2000-2001 season.  Portland is also hurting for frontline help, so maybe Troy Murphy is an option in Portland as well, but with Murphy's contract size, Portland would have to piece together a few more contracts to get the money to work.  Diener would expire for Portland after the season, as would Outlaw for the Pacers.  However, Outlaw is the type of wing the Pacers covet, so he would be worth keeping around, in my opinion.

As for Troy Murphy, the Cleveland Cavaliers were rumored to express interest in him.  But, what would Cleveland be willing to give up to get him?  Let's take a look at a few options.

Scenario one involves fan favorite Zydrunas Ilgauskas:

Cavs get:  Troy Murphy
Indiana gets:  Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Danny Green

I like the fact that Z's contract is expiring, so that gives the Pacers some wiggle room at the end of the season.  Also, with his experience, he would be a very nice mentor for Roy Hibbert and even Tyler Hansbrough.  Plus, he is white, so Larry Bird would love him.  The one thing that is a possible stopper for this trade, is the fact that Cleveland and Indiana are in the same division.

The next scenario involves a few other players and would probably never happen:

Cavs get:  Murphy
Pacers get:  Anderson Varejao and Daniel Gibson

The reason that I think this trade would never happen is the fact that Larry Bird is adamant about getting cap space for 2011.  Varejao and Gibson have contracts that run for 6 years and 4 years, respectively.

As for TJ Ford, he apparently has little interest from teams around the league, but with his expiring contract, you would think someone would take a flier on him.

Here are a few possible trades that could work for both teams:

Kings get:  Ford
Pacers get:  Kenny Thomas

Just an expiring contract for an expiring contract.

Warriors get:  Ford
Pacers get:  Speedy Claxton and Kelenna Azubuike

Again, all expiring contracts, but the Pacers gain Azubuike who would be a tremendous fit in the Pacers' offense.  He can score in bunches and plays average defense.  Claxton would probably be waived.

Well, that is all I have for now as far as trade rumors go.  I'm sure I'll keep scouring for more information as the days inch closer to the trade deadline.

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