Jermaine O'Neal's agent says the Pacers forward has not requested a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sports Illustrated's Web site on Monday quoted O'Neal as saying he would "welcome a trade to the Lakers" and mentioned the New Jersey Nets as another possible destination. He does not want to be part of a long rebuilding process at Indiana, SI.com said.
O'Neal did not immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press. His agent, Arn Tellem, responded to a separate e-mail.
"He hasn't requested a trade to the Lakers," Tellem wrote. "Any reports to the contrary are inaccurate."
Pacers president Larry Bird did not rule out a trade.
"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," Bird said in a statement Monday.
O'Neal, a six-time All-Star, has been the subject of trade talk since the Pacers finished 35-47 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. He averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in one of the best seasons of his 11-year career.
Sports Illustrated's Web site on Monday quoted O'Neal as saying he would "welcome a trade to the Lakers" and mentioned the New Jersey Nets as another possible destination. He does not want to be part of a long rebuilding process at Indiana, SI.com said.
O'Neal did not immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press. His agent, Arn Tellem, responded to a separate e-mail.
"He hasn't requested a trade to the Lakers," Tellem wrote. "Any reports to the contrary are inaccurate."
Pacers president Larry Bird did not rule out a trade.
"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," Bird said in a statement Monday.
O'Neal, a six-time All-Star, has been the subject of trade talk since the Pacers finished 35-47 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. He averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in one of the best seasons of his 11-year career.
