NBA trade rumors: Pacers tried and failed to make deal with Bulls

The Indiana Pacers made an attempt to swing a trade with the Chicago Bulls earlier in the year as they look to make the playoffs.

The Indiana Pacers tried to engage a Central Division rival in a trade earlier in the season, to no avail.

J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star reported the Pacers attempted to acquire swingman Garrett Temple from the Chicago Bulls. However, Chicago is hesitant to move him within the division, particularly to a team it figures to battle with for a playoff spot in the second half of the season:

“The Pacers already have tried to trade for Bulls guard Garrett Temple, a league source with knowledge of the negotiations told IndyStar. While he's not a post player, the 6-5 combo guard can defend smaller guards and wings, shoot the 3 and has the intangibles of Young. He's also much cheaper on a 1-year, $4.7 million deal. The Bulls, however, have showed no interest in dealing him to their division rival.”

Temple has provided value to the Bulls as a guy capable of guarding multiple positions and occasionally making plays off the dribble.

Chicago has appeared hesitant to move any of its possible assets, whether it be Temple or veteran forward (and former Pacer) Thaddeus Young.

The Pacers, meanwhile, are scuffling. Indiana improved to 16-18 with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. But it is just 4-9 in the month of February. The Pacers have also looked downtrodden against some of the best teams in the conference.

The Temple negotiations seem to suggest the Pacers are more intent on adding pieces in a continued push for the postseason. But they could just as easily try to sell high on the likes of Myles Turner.