Jermaine O’Neal Has Not Asked For Trade

For the first time in his seven seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Jermaine O’Neal has missed the playoffs. However, he respects his team too much to ask for a trade.

O’Neal said that he had spoken to Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh just once after the season ended for the Pacers but talk about trade never entered their conversation. He denied reports that he is trying to reunite with his old coach Isiah Thomas, who is now with the New York Knicks.

O’Neal underwent knee surgery and has been the subject of trade talk ever since the Pacers at 35-47 missed the playoffs for the first time in ten years.

This was one of the best seasons that O’Neal has had in his 11 year career. He averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. If the Pacers choose to rebuild their team, he would be their top player.

The Pacers have fired coach Rick Carlisle.

Four years ago, the Pacers fired Thomas for Carlisle and O’Neal was quite close to him at that point.

O’Neal agrees that he could be traded but has denied the rumors that claim he has been making a request for trade.

During the regular season, Pacers struggled and O’Neal grew frustrated. When the team has a losing streak of 11 games late in the season, O’Neal, who is always accommodating, stopped speaking to reporters.

The Pacers started the season with high hopes but ended up having an ordinary start. They then made an eight player trade in January 2007 that included Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson going to the Golden State Warriors for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy. The induction of new players and injuries to O’Neal, Marquis Daniels and Jamaal Tinsley ultimately took toll and the Pacers went for 15-29 after the trade.