Everybody remember Jamaal Tinsley? The Pacers point guard often called "troublemaker" and "malcontent" hasn't been allowed to play or even practice for the team this season. While the Pacers are still writing his checks, they've made it clear to both Tinsley and his agent that there's just not enough room on the bus, if you buy what I'm selling.
There's a new wrinkle in this particular sale, though, and it seems to be expanding rather quickly. First the NBAPA today announced that they're filing a grievance against the Pacers on behalf of Tinsley. Both sides probably have a case, but the fact that the Pacers removed his nameplate from the locker and sent his stuff to Atlanta (I hope he lives there) does not look good.
Now there's a new development on Tinsley that has him headed to... Charlotte?
Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com reports that there's been a deal brewing for what seems like quite a while that would send Tinsley, Jeff Foster, and Brandon Rush to the Bobcats for Raymond Felton, Nazr Mohammed and Sean May.
I'll give you a moment to recover from the quakes of excitement coursing through your bodies.
The deal gives the Bobcats more depth at the point guard position, but Tinsley's got $14-mil over two years left on his contract versus the expirings they would be giving up. The muscle Foster provides would be helpful and Rush is a nice prospect, but giving up Felton's kind of a big deal. Felton has played well this season under Larry Brown and has been part of the reason for the Bobcats' decent play as of late.
Minority owner Michael Jordan said in an interview today that he had no immediate plans to trade Felton, but his name has been in trade talks since the beginning of the season. While most of the moves made for the Cats this season has helped make them a better team, you have to wonder if this one would. That's one of the reasons the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell doubts the likelihood of the deal.
For the Pacers, it's about time they did something with this situation, and it's yet another indication that while this trade deadline may not be as star-studded as last year's, we may see quite a bit of action yet.
