The Indiana Pacers have joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race to sign Shawn Marion, as reports indicated that team officials met with the free agent forward.

Pacers president Larry Bird confirmed on Tuesday that he sat down with Marion on Monday to discuss the possibility of moving to Indiana next season in the hope of taking the spot to be vacated by Paul George, who is expected to miss the entire 2014-15 NBA season.

Bird said that Marion, who averaged 10.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season, was still undecided after their meeting, but the veteran forward said that he wants to contend for a title next season.

"What I came away with is he's undecided where he wants to play or what he wants to do," Bird said via CBS Sports. "But he did say that he would like to be on a contender and try to win a championship. I know he's talked to Cleveland. We didn't talk about Cleveland but I know he's been there. And I don't know who else he's talked to."

Bird conceded that they are not planning to make drastic moves to improve their title chances next season, but he reiterated that Marion has a place in Indiana if he decides to accept their offer.

"I came away with the feeling that he wants to be on a championship team, a team that's got a chance to win it," Bird said. "But he knows that we're probably not going to do nothing for a while and he has a place here if he wants to come."

The Pacers could spend up to $5.3 million to sign free agents after getting a disabled player exception following George's injury, but Bird reiterated that they are not planning to go over the tax limit next season.

"We'll never go over the tax," Bird said. "My owner's told me that that's a place he don't want to go. We'll do whatever we can to stay under."

Indiana can offer up to $1.7 million to Marion without going over the tax limit. It is bigger than the $1.4 million the Cavaliers can offer, but the difference won't be that big for Marion if he prioritizes signing with a strong title contender next season.

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