INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers exercised contract
options on former first-round draft picks Danny Granger and David
Harrison, and cut former Notre Dame standout Chris Thomas from
their rookie/free agent camp roster on Friday.
Harrison and Granger are now signed through the 2007-2008
season. If the Pacers didn't pick up the options, both could have
become unrestricted free agents at the end of next season.
Granger, last year's first-round pick, was a member of the NBA
All-Rookie second-team after averaging 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds
per game.
Harrison averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in his second
season with the Pacers. He started 17 games and played in 67.
Thomas was let go on the second day of camp. He hoped he could
make the team because of its commitment to a younger, more athletic
roster. Thomas was solid in the two days of camp, but the Pacers
already have three point guards on the roster and added another
possible point guard, James White, in a draft-day trade.
Thomas made the cut for the Minnesota summer league team last
year after going undrafted. He spent last year playing for Fabriano
Basket in Italy's Lega2 and averaged 16.4 points and 3.9 assists.