After listening to some Indy sports radio this AM.....
It really does sound like people expect them to match. And if the Pacers don't match, there will be rioting. A lot of their fans are asking how the Pacers can consider not matching. He's arguably their best overall player, an anchor on both ends of the floor, 25, improving, hard-working, a huge pillar in the community, etc. Plus, upon their hires, the Prez and GM immediately stated that the Pacers plan to keep everyone together, keep the continuity, etc.
I tend to agree. The best chance we have, IMO, is for Hibbert to say to the Pacers that he really wants to come to Portland, and push for the Pacers to work out some sort of sign-and-trade. Whether we give up some mix of cash, picks, and bench players.