Conrad Brunner of NBA.com answers letters from Pacer's fans. The big topic this time: Where do the Pacers get a Center? Brunner suggests that signing a big-name free agent is almost impossible. A trade for a disgruntled big man is unlikely. Signing a 2nd or 3rd teir free agent like Nazr Mohammed may be possible.

Mark monteith od the Star reports that former Pacers assistant coach Rick Carlisle is ready to take the head coaching job in Detroit. He is expecting an announcement by the Pistons early this week.

Also, It is expected to be announced today that the Golden State Warriors will Excercize its option to take the Pacers first round pick. The 14th pick in this years draft will likely go to the Warriors to complete a deal made 2 years ago for Jeff Foster.

Mark Monteith of the Sporting News Reports that the Pacers want Antonio Davis Back. The Pacers traded Davis to Toronto two years ago for Jonathan Bender. Back then, Davis wanted a chance to start and the Pacers were looking to get younger. Now with Smits and Dale Davis gone, Antonio would be the perfect compliment to Jermaine O'Neal. Davis will opt out of his contract this summer and go where the money takes him. Being over the cap, the Pacers hope to put together a package that will please the Raptors and get Davis the salary he desires in a sign-and-trade deal.

Conrad Brunner of NBA.com reports that Isiah Thomas is trying to learn about coaching in the NBA. "I'd like to spend some time with a lot of different coaches from different backgrounds to get their perspective on the business, their handling of players and personnel, a lot of the situations that I have yet to encounter,'' Thomas said. ''I would like to get some feedback from them on what they did when they were in a tough situation and how did they get out of it, before I get into that situation."

According to CNN/SI, The Associated Press reports that Market Square Arena, the home of the Pacers from 1974 - 1999 caught fire when a welder's torch ignited some foam insulation. The building is slated to be demolished next month.

With this season's team in transition, the Pacers still made it to the playoffs and played well. They have many young players who can help shape the near future of the franchise by working hard over this summer.

In many ways, the shape of the Pacers' team next season will be cast at small forward. It is the most well-stocked position on the roster, yet it is also one of the most uncertain.

''We have a plethora of talent there,'' said team president Donnie Walsh.
When the playoffs arrived, however, coach Isiah Thomas may have tipped his plans for next season. Rose was moved from the point back to small forward, replaced out front by Best. Harrington not only fell out of the lineup, but nearly disappeared from the rotation altogether, totaling 40 minutes in four games.

Miller has been the starter since 1988, and likely will be for the remaining two years on his contract. But he played this season largely without backup and wound up with his highest minutes-played total (3,181) since his third season. And there is no certain successor in the pipeline.

This should be where Jonathan Bender comes in.

When Mark Jackson left the Pacers to sign with Toronto a year ago, the Pacers had no certain replacement in the starting lineup. What evolved was a rotation that featured Jalen Rose as the starter, but Travis Best as the usual finisher - and the player who spent the most time running the team at the point.

Though point guard has not been identified as a position of need heading into the offseason, neither will it be ignored, if a quality player becomes available at the right price.

"I think next year Jonathan will play a lot for us,' coach Isiah Thomas said. "Of all the young guys we have, Jonathan has improved the most, although you didn't get a chance to see that out on the court. When I watch him every day in practice, the things he's picking up, the way he's approaching the game, his mental outlook on the game, out of all the guys that we have, I think he's going to end up being the best of all the young guys.'