Originally published August 7, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 7, 2007 at 2:02 AM

NBA Wire Notes | Indiana's O'Neal discounts reports

Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal has discounted Internet reports that he wants to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. "My preference is to...

By The Indianapolis Star and The Associated Press

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Jermaine O'Neal

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal has discounted Internet reports that he wants to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"My preference is to play here and win here," O'Neal said in a telephone interview after returning from Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, attempting to deflate a brewing controversy that had brought clarifying statements from Pacers president Larry Bird and O'Neal's agent, Arn Tellem.

O'Neal appeared at — but did not play in — a charity basketball game Sunday hosted by league players Baron Davis and Paul Pierce. He talked with reporters from the Sports Illustrated and ESPN Web sites.

Both accounts quoted O'Neal expressing a desire to be traded to the Lakers.

"It's time for me to move on," O'Neal was quoted as saying in the ESPN story. "And the Lakers are the team I want Indiana to trade me to."

O'Neal added that the Pacers are "obviously" in a rebuilding mode, and he did not want to "take in five years of losses and downtime." He added that he also would favor a trade to New Jersey.

Bird issued a statement, repeating his claim O'Neal would be traded only if he brings "fair market value."

Tellem, in an e-mail to The Associated Press, denied that O'Neal wants out of Indiana.

"He hasn't requested a trade to the Lakers," Tellem wrote. "Any reports to the contrary are inaccurate."

O'Neal, 28, said he believes the Pacers can reach the playoffs next season with their current roster.

Notes

• Forward Elton Brand, who averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds last season for the Los Angeles Clippers, is to have surgery today in Wilmington, Del., to repair a rupture in his left Achilles tendon.