Indiana Pacers Interested in New York Knicks’ Chris Copeland

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May 16, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Chris Copeland (14) celebrates scoring during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game 5 of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffsat Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 85-75. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Chris Copeland (14) celebrates scoring during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in game 5 of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffsat Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 85-75. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks extended a qualifying offer to big man Chris Copeland after his breakout rookie season, but the Indiana Pacers appear to have enough interest to steal him away from New York.

Copeland is 29 years old but broke out on to the scene last year and averaged over 16 points per game while averaging just 27 minutes per contest.

In other words, Copeland is in him prime and the Knicks may not have the cash to keep him around.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski over at Yahoo! sports, the Pacers and Copeland have a strong mutual interest:

"The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks free agent Chris Copeland have a strong mutual interest, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.Copeland, 29, played his career overseas until making a successful leap to the NBA last season. Multiple teams are in pursuit of him, but the Pacers are emerging as a strong possible destination for him, sources said."

Copeland would fit nicely on a team with Roy Hibbert in the middle. In fact, he’d be an ideal complement to the big man who lacks a sound offensive game.

Copeland is not the biggest name on the market, but he could be headed to Indiana as the Pacers make another serious push in 2013.

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