Jackson Agrees to $14M Deal With Raptors

I N D I A N A P O L I S, Aug. 11, 2000 -- 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.

The Pacers drafted a point guard, Jaquay Walls, in the secondround of this year’s draft, but will try to land an experiencedplayer as well. The Pacers have both the midlevel salary exceptionof $2.25 million and the veteran $1 million exception available.

The unsigned point guards on the marketplace include TimHardaway, who is expected to re-sign with Miami. Other contendersare Howard Eisley, Greg Anthony, Tyrone Bogues, Bimbo Coles,Sherman Douglas and Haywoode Workman.

When Miller’s contract extension was announced Wednesday, hesaid he wanted Jackson back with the Pacers.

“Mark has meant so much to the franchise,” Miller said in astatement. “Mark knows how to play the game. It would be adisservice to this organization if they do not sign Mark.”

Jackson had two stints with the Pacers. He first came to theteam in a draft day trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in 1994.After two seasons, he was sent to Denver in an off-season deal in1996 that brought Jalen Rose to the Pacers.

Jackson was reacquired with 30 games remaining in the 1996-97season.