Indiana Pacers Clean Up Point Guard Situation in the NBA

Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh wasn't kidding two weeks ago when he said the team had to figure out its point guard situation.

The Indiana Pacers took a step in resolving it Monday when they finalized a trade to send point guard Anthony Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks for point guard Darrell Armstrong, swingman Rawle Marshall and forward Josh Powell.

''We had to do something with our point guard position,'' Walsh said. ''There just wasn't enough minutes to go around for everybody.''

Armstrong, 38, will be expected to help provide leadership in a locker room that had chemistry problems last season. He signed a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum of about $1.2 million before the trade. Marshall, who attended Ball State his freshman year, and Powell, don't have guaranteed contracts.

''I got a message from (former NBA coach) Chuck Daly, and he said, 'Darrell Armstrong is a great pickup, a terrific player with a huge heart and the best locker room guy I ever had,''' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.

''Those are strong words from a guy that knows the game. That's good enough for me.''

Many in the organization think Jamaal Tinsley gives the Pacers the best chance of winning, but Johnson showed the past two seasons he can be effective as a starter. Johnson, who began last season as the third point guard, started 53 games, averaging 11.1 points and 5.0 assists in that role. He averaged 20.0 points and 5.2 assists against New Jersey in the playoffs.

There was concern Johnson wouldn't accept coming off the bench behind Tinsley next season. Johnson, who said the team's ''culture has to change'' at the end of last season, did not return a phone message Monday.

''There was a lot of interest in Anthony because he played well last year,'' Walsh said. ''We were looking for a financial deal and one that wouldn't put us in the position of there being a battle for the starting job.''

The trade of Johnson means the Pacers are again hoping that Tinsley can stay healthy. Tinsley, a crafty ball handler, has missed 112 of 246 games the past three seasons because of various injuries.

Can Jamaal Tinsley help the Indiana Pacers become one of the top teams in the NBA Eastern Conference? Visit and bet on Bodog today.