NBA Rumors: Pacers Interested In NBA Champ; Rubio Deal Close To Reality

The Indiana Pacers’ apparent desire to sign upcoming free agent Ricky Rubio is reportedly a step closer to reality. The team also plans to add an NBA champ in their roster.

Back in mid May, Utah Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio was reportedly about to leave the Jazz. Rumor has it that the Spanish national NBA sensation could possibly end up signing with the Boston Celtics.

After a month, the veteran point guard has been reportedly bound to part ways with Utah due to priority issues. In a radio interview back in June, Rubio revealed that the Jazz is not considering him as a number one priority this offseason despite the fact that he is about to become a free agent.

And about two weeks from now, the Indiana Pacers have been continuously linked with the Spanish NBA sensation. The latest is that the Rubio coming to Indiana rumor has taken a step closer to reality since sudden Dareen Collison retirement, Clutch Points reported.

Collison, who has been a vital piece for the Pacers just announced that he is officially retiring and this would mean that Indiana will be in need of a talented point guard to fill in the gap.

Apart from the Collison retirement, Cory Joseph, another Pacers guard is about to be an unrestricted free agent and this would just solidify the possibility of Pacers landing Rubio in no time soon.

Sources predict that Rubio will be a perfect fit for the Pacers as the 28-year-old point guard has an “pass-first” mentality that would compliment Victor Oladipo’s game, according to The Bleacher Report.

But just a few days ago, league sources claim that the Pacers have a “strong” interest on two-time NBA champ Danny Green of the Toronto Raptors.

It was even noted that Green, being a solid defender and terrific shooter, will be a great fill-in at least until Oladipo returns to action.

If things will go the right way for the Pacers, Green can definitely play a much bigger role in the team than just being a clutch shooter. With the enough championship experience he possesses, the Pacers could be looking at adding a playoff key player in signing Green.

Should Indiana manage to pull off a deal for both Rubio and Green this offseason, the team would add an exceptional playmaker and a cold-blooded shooter in their roster, and that alone could help the team bounce back next season.