http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...US?SITE=TXHOU&SECTION=SPORTS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Pacers to sign NBA-ready point guard By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer Free agent point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, considered Europe's most NBA-ready player, has agreed to a three-year contract with the Indiana Pacers, his agent said Monday. Jasikevicius turned down offers from Utah and Cleveland, agent Doug Neustadt said. If he had signed with the Cavaliers, the 6-foot-4 Lithuanian, who helped Maccabi Tel Aviv win its second straight Euroleague title last season, would have been reunited with Cavaliers All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Jasikevicius was the best man at Ilgauskas' wedding last year. "It was an extremely tough decision and one he labored over for several days," Neustadt said. "He saw Cleveland as an up-and-coming team and it would have been great to play with 'Z.' But he sees Indiana as a tested playoff team and one that can win an NBA championship in the next few years." Advertisement Jasikevicius should help the Pacers offset the loss of Reggie Miller, who retired after last season. Indiana, knocked out of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in six games by Detroit, also will get Ron Artest back from suspension next season and will be among the favorites to win it all. Jasikevicius was passed over by NBA general managers the past few years, failing to get a significant contract offer. But the former Maryland guard re-opened some eyes after scoring 28 points and making three 3-pointers down the stretch as Lithuania upset the United States last summer in Athens. Now that Jasikevicius has signed elsewhere, the Cavaliers, who are in the market for a point guard, are likely to zero in on free agent Marko Jaric. The 6-foot-7 Jaric averaged 9.9 points, 6.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 50 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. The Cavs, who went into free agency nearly $28 million under the salary cap, have already reached deals with Ilgauskas, guard Larry Hughes and forward Donyell Marshall. Teams can begin signing players Thursday.
