"The Indiana Pacers are down to the final five days to try to trade point guard T.J. Ford. Their alternative option if Ford is not moved by Thursday's trade deadline is to offer the point guard a buyout for the second time in less than a year. Both parties know a buyout will likely be discussed if a trade doesn't happen by the 3 p.m. deadline, but neither side has yet to talk about a dollar amount. Trade talk has been minimal thus far but is expected to pick up once All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony's situation gets resolved. That's when the Pacers will have a better indication if they'll have a real opportunity to move Ford's expiring contract. A sticking point with a buyout, if it comes to that, is that Ford has to agree to it. Ford said he won't agree to a buyout unless he knows a team will sign him and he'll be able to make up the difference in salary he's going to lose in the buyout. The Pacers could hold onto Ford, who is still a productive player, and let his contract expire, but team officials want to give him an opportunity to play elsewhere and start working for his next contract. Barring a rash of injuries at point guard, it's highly unlikely that Ford will play again for the Pacers this season. Last summer, the Pacers offered Ford a buyout for $3 million less than the $8.5 million he's making this season. The New Orleans Hornets were expected to sign him to be All-Star Chris Paul's backup had he agreed to the buyout." Read more: http://www.indystar.com/article/201...2/SPORTS04/Time-running-out-Pacers-trade-Ford
