New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey: "Why pollute this space with the Pacers when the Spurs are on the precipice of dethroning the Lakers? Because I've learned which teammates O'Neal wants vaporized. According to several informed sources, when he meets with Walsh next week, Jermaine intends to demand that Artest, Tinsley and Ron Mercer be traded." Indianapolis Star: "Rik Smits hasn't worn an NBA uniform since the Indiana Pacers lost Game 6 of the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers on June 19, 2000. But he hasn't been forgotten. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak contacted Smits late in the regular season to ask if Smits wanted to join their roster for the playoffs." Indianapolis Star: "Reggie Miller will have arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle May 19 to clean out loose cartilage, scar tissue and bone spurs."
