Pacers' hopes gone; is O'Neal?
By Mark Montieth

Now that the Indiana Pacers' hopes of making the playoffs have expired, the same might be true for Jermaine O'Neal's season.

And, who knows? Perhaps his career with the Pacers, too.

O'Neal acknowledged the possibility of sitting out the Pacers' final two games following Sunday's 111-107 loss to New Jersey at Conseco Fieldhouse. He has been hampered by knee and leg ailments much of the season.

"That's something we're going to talk about," O'Neal said after a 20-point, five-rebound, four-assist, three-block performance against the Nets.

"If (Orlando defeats Boston) we'll talk about it and take a look at our young guys and see what they can do. . . . We'll address my health issue and take care of that as soon as possible."

Orlando defeated Boston later in the evening to clinch the playoff spot, officially eliminating the Pacers.

O'Neal declined to talk in detail about his injuries. Asked if he'll need surgery after the season, he smiled and said, "I'm going to tell you guys as soon as the season is over."

O'Neal also will sit down with management when the season ends. He has talked repeatedly of the possibility of seeking a trade but has recently toned down that stance.

"I want to retire here, but I understand the business part of it," he said. "The business part is brutal. If they feel they can't rebuild the team, they have to tear the team down."

Is there anyway to get him without trading all our picks untill 2020?