The Pacers tried to throw point guard T.J. Ford into Wednesday's four-team trade. When that didn't work they tried to negotiate a buyout with the veteran to a similar result. Indiana offered Ford a buyout of $5 million. "I'm not taking a buyout," said Ford, who is scheduled to make $8.5 million this coming season. http://blogs.indystar.com/pacersinsider/archives/2010/08/pacers_get_what.html
Greedy of the Pacers to expect Ford to leave about $2-million on the table (assuming he is able to get on with another team for the vet's min of about $1.5-million). They might've persuaded him to agree to a $6.5-million buyout since now is the time that teams will be looking for veterans. He loses $500k but potentially gets on with another team. Perhaps worth the risk rather than wait for the full amount and waste another year in Indiana not playing, which could cost him a lot more than $500k down the road.
