Jackson Agrees to $14M Deal With Raptors
I N D I A N A P O L I S, Aug. 11 -- Mark Jackson wanted to finish his career with the Indiana Pacers. They wanted him back, too.
But the Toronto Raptors offered the point guard a four-year, $14million contract, and he didn’t refuse. And the Pacers didn’t matchit.
“If they wanted me, they could have had me. You don’t run outof money,” said Jackson, 35, scheduled to be introduced at a newsconference today in Toronto.
Jackson told the Toronto Sun that being pursued by Raptors GMGlen Grunwald and new head coach Lenny Wilkens were importantfactors in his decision to go to Toronto.
“It was talking to both of them,” Jackson said. “They made mefeel really appreciated. They gave me the sense of being wanted,and it was really good to feel that again.”
Asked if the Indiana Pacers didn’t make him feel wanted, Jacksonanswered: “I didn’t have any conversations with them. But I’lltalk about that soon enough. I just want to be a Raptor.”
No Cap Room
Pacers president Donnie Walsh said Thursday he had wanted tore-sign Jackson, but acknowledged the team couldn’t match acontract from a team with plenty of salary cap room.
“He got an unbelievable offer from Toronto, and I understandwhy he had to take it,” Walsh told The Indianapolis Star. “I’llmiss him a lot, and somewhere down the line I know he’ll be a greatNBA coach.”
Jackson has also played for the New York Knicks and Los AngelesClippers during his 13-year career. He averaged 8.1 points and 27.0minutes for the Pacers last season.
Indiana has already committed $182 million in deals thatre-signed their other free agents from the team that reached theNBA Finals last season—Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Austin Croshereand Sam Perkins.
Hunt for a Point Guard
The Pacers will seek another point guard to take Jackson’s placeon the roster, although not necessarily as a starter, Walsh said.
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