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That's where three key pieces come into play: the expiring contracts of Jeff Foster, Mike Dunleavy and T.J. Ford. The plan had been to let those contracts, totaling $27 million, fall off the books and make the Pacers a significant player in the next two free-agent classes. But things change; with no concrete knowledge of what $27 million in cap space will be worth under a new CBA, the Pacers "would aggressively pursue a deal now" for one of those expiring contracts if the right player were offered, according to a person familiar with the team's strategy. CBSSports.com

Indiana Pacers, Trade, Mike Dunleavy, TJ Ford, Jeff Foster 

Foster, however, also knew if he played well that his experience and expiring contract would make him an enticing trade option. "I had this discussion of retirement and if I came back and played well, that being traded was probable come January or February," he said. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Trade, Jeff Foster 

Foster's contract is one of four expiring deals -- Solomon Jones, T.J. Ford and Mike Dunleavy have the others -- the Pacers could use as bargaining chips if they want to acquire a player they feel fits into their long-range plans before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. "That's part of the business," he said. "I'd be sad if it happened, but you have to move on and continue to be professional and do your job. One of us could be moved to help the team become better in the future." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Trade, Jeff Foster 

Some names bandied about in a deal for Redick have been Indiana’s Jeff Foster or Portland’s Joel Pryzbilla or Charlotte’s Nazr Mohammed or DeSagna Diop (yikes). Their salaries align. Orlando Sentinel

Charlotte Bobcats, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, JJ Redick, Nazr Mohammed, Jeff Foster, Joel Przybilla, DeSagana Diop 

Circling back to the topic of age Foster will turn 34 years old in January and while the thoughts of retirement isn't a daily topic; Foster fully accepts his role as a veteran mentor and locker room role model as his career winds down. "I just take it day by day," commented Foster on the subject of retirement. "I try to be a shining board for the young guys and when it comes time to play, go out there and do what I've always done. "So I'm just enjoying being a part of this team and I'm just looking forward to getting the Indiana Pacers back into the playoffs again." HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Jeff Foster 

Foster will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and having spent his whole career with one franchise its extremely clear that the veteran doesn't want to leave the organization that gave him the opportunity to lace up the high tops on the pro level. "It's extremely important," Foster told HOOPSWORLD on the significance of ending his career as a member of the Pacers organization. "I never thought about going anywhere else. Those thoughts have never even crossed my mind." "I guess in a way it's a scary thought," continued Foster in regards to the prospect of ever having to play elsewhere during his career. "But we'll see how things go the rest of the year and see what plays out with the lockout next year. But nothing would make me happier than to finish my career as a Pacer. So that's what I plan on doing and hopefully we'll be able to follow that through." HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Jeff Foster 

Veteran center Jeff Foster is on schedule to return to the lineup next week after being out more than a week with a sprained right ankle. Foster's return will come at a good time. O'Brien has been forced to use the undersized Hansbrough and McRoberts as Roy Hibbert's backups at center because of Solomon Jones' lackluster play. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Jeff Foster 

Veteran center Jeff Foster will be out about two weeks with a sprained right ankle. Foster sprained his ankle working out with A.J. Price, Lance Stephenson and Brandon Rush after the team's morning shootaround in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Injuries, Jeff Foster 

When he’s done rebounding and dishing out the hardest fouls in the NBA, Pacers center Jeff Foster has anther career waiting on him. Kobayashi will be old news after people see this footage of Foster destroying two, yes TWO, 22-ounce burgers (“The Big Ugly Challenge” at Bub’s Burgers outside of Indianapolis): NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Jeff Foster 

If the Pacers play as well as Foster eats, their fans won’t have any complaints this season. Pacers.com’s Conrad Brunner explains how this all came to be: In an effort to build some team chemistry, not to mention have a little fun, the players organized an outing last week. First came laser tag. Then came the trip to Bub’s. The order is important here. Think about the floor of the laser tag center had they eaten first. Of those on hand, Roy Hibbert had been on the strictest diet, shedding 20 pounds, doing MMA training, going through boot camp with Bill Walton in a summer program that bordered on the obsessive. And yet, in the interest of team unity, he faced the Big Ugly. “I didn’t want to be that guy that didn’t have a burger,” he said, “so I decided just to go ahead.” According to witnesses on the scene, Hibbert ate like a man who’s been a strict diet all summer. Which is to say the Big Ugly disappeared quickly. “I finished that whole thing,” Hibbert said. “I could’ve gone for two but with one I knew I was going to feel it the next day. It was quick. It was nothing. I could’ve eaten the second one and gotten a bigger picture on the wall but it was fun. … I ate so well this past summer, having an indulgence day was fun.” NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Jeff Foster 

Veteran Jeff Foster also isn't going all out after having back surgery last season. Don't worry, though, this is by design. The Pacers don't want the 33 year old to over do it in the summer. "There's no use in going all out right now," Bird said. "He'll be in shape. I know how hard it is to sit out a whole year and come back. It takes time. "Jeff is a specialty-type player. Whatever we can get out of him, he'll help us." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Jeff Foster 

The Pacers have a received a number of calls about Troy Murphy, but they're reluctant to move the double-double player because of the uncertainty surrounding the health of Jeff Foster and Tyler Hansbrough, according to a source. Murphy is more likely to be moved at the trade deadline if those two players are healthy. Indianapolis Star