Analysts react to Pacers' reported moves Bruno breaks down the first round, pick by pick Cornrows captures the essence of draft night Pacers NBA Draft War Room

They left a few hours later still without knowing, at least officially, thanks to NBA technicalities. Perhaps the franchise can re-convene its followers in July, when what is left of the suspense can officially be lifted by the league.

On paper, the Pacers emerged from the draft with No. 11 pick Jerryd Bayless, a 6-3 combo guard from Arizona, and No. 41 pick Nathan Jawai, a bruising power forward from Australia.

Based on media reports, including those emanating from the league's official broadcast partner for the draft, the Pacers actually acquired seven players: No. 13 pick Brandon Rush, a gifted swingman from Kansas; No. 17 pick Roy Hibbert, a polished center from Georgetown; veteran point guards T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack; veteran big men Rasho Nesterovic and Maceo Baston and Indianapolis product Josh McRoberts in two separate trades that, if consummated, can't be announced until July 9 at the earliest.

"We've been in touch with the league all day and we've gotten memos and they've told us what we can say and not say," said team President Larry Bird. "It's very disappointing not only for us but for the guys we've got coming here. I don't really know what to say about it.

"I know the franchise is going in the right direction and this is just a step because next summer it puts us in position to do a lot of things. I think the Pacers' future looks brighter today than it did a few weeks ago."

In interviews with a variety of media outlets, Jermaine O'Neal confirmed his widely reported trade to Toronto along with the No. 41 pick in exchange for the No. 17 pick used on Georgetown center Hibbert as well as veterans T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and Baston. Neither the Pacers nor Raptors could officially comment on the deal because Ford's contract carries a base-year compensation tag which does not expire until July 1, which also happens to be the day the NBA's moratorium on transaction announcements begins. That moratorium lifts on July 9.

ESPN reported during its telecast of the draft the Pacers and Portland had agreed to swap Bayless and Rush, with Ike Diogu going to the Blazers and Jack and McRoberts to Indiana. Because of the timing of that deal and the involvement of veteran players, that deal must also wait until July 9 to become official.

Despite their apparent draft-night windfall, the Pacers were left with little to say.

O'Brien

"There are certain circumstances that present themselves where teams are not allowed to speak about their draft choices and this is one of them," Coach Jim O'Brien told the crowd of 4,250 after the No. 11 pick was announced. "I will say this to everybody here. Bob Dylan, who's one of my favorite singers, had a song that had some lyrics, 'the times, they are a-changing.' I think it's been a real pleasure to watch Larry Bird and David Morway and the scouts prepare for this draft and work around the clock to make sure when we take the court next season, you'll be very, very proud of the individuals that will be wearing Indiana Pacers uniforms.

"We started a style of play this year where we led the Eastern Conference in scoring and when all the players that are involved in different scenarios are all presented to you as fans, I think you'll be very, very happy with the style, the people, the character, the way they handle themselves and the way they represent (the franchise)."

Without addressing the rumored trades, Bird did say he believed the events of the night represented a significant step forward.

"I think we got more athletic, I think we got some -- or Toronto got some – size tonight, and next year we're going to have some cap space," he said. "I think we've got a very talented team and we've got some guys that can get up and down the court. …

Bird

"The culture of the team's going to change and we're not done yet. We're going to continue to work on the team throughout the summer. If you look at some of the guys in the proposed trade, they're a little bit older, they went to school for at least three years and that's part of the change, more mature kids, some experience and getting guys we think can come in here and play right away."

Should the Portland deal become official, it could potentially unite Kareem Rush with his younger brother. Kareem, however, is a free agent unlikely to re-sign with the Pacers.

"Kareem Rush is a hell of a player," said Bird. "His brother's better. His brother can defend and we like that."

Given Bird's aggressive approach to roster revision and culture change, the Pacers may not be done dealing.

"We feel we made some strides," he said. "We're not there yet. We've got a lot of work to do. But hopefully some of the things we did tonight will get us in the right direction."