Hibbert Open To Trade

[Boise Blazer]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ly-would-be-open-to-trade-from-indiana-pacers

Roy Hibbert's volatile 2013-14 campaign saw him start the season as one of the Indiana Pacers' most critical centerpieces and finish it as perhaps their primary scapegoat.

Apparently, the 27-year-old may have had enough of roller coasters for a while.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, both Hibbert and the Pacers could be ready for a change this summer:

There is said to be some thought on both sides -- management and Hibbert's -- that a fresh start would be beneficial for everyone after the big man's second-half decline.

Hibbert's camp hasn't outright asked for a trade, sources say, but word is that it wouldn't exactly oppose one if the Pacers decide to actively shop their center.

None of this should come as a big surprise for anyone who had a ticket to Indiana's bipolar ride.

Early on, Hibbert was a defensive difference-maker and relatively reliable offensive safety valve. As the season wore on, though, he became a 7'2", 290-pound problem the Pacers couldn't hide.

After making the second All-Star appearance of his career in February, he tumbled down the NBA's hierarchy over the coming months. The player manning the middle to start Indiana's playoff run simply wasn't the same one who anchored the interior during the winter, as Basketball-Reference's All-Star splits highlight.

His postseason averages show a mild recovery (9.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting, 5.6 rebounds), but his playoff run was essentially an unpredictable series of highs and lows. He had nine games with double-digit points but was held under five points six different times (including four scoreless outings). He grabbed at least eight rebounds on six different occasions but had another six games with two or fewer (including two without a single board).

His personal struggles became team issues when he told reporters in late March there were "some selfish dudes" inside of Indiana's locker room. Those words, as ESPN.com's Mike Wells and Brian Windhorst later explained, fractured an already fragile foundation:

As one person with knowledge of the situation put it: 'It divided the locker room big time.' The Pacers didn't become one of the best teams in the league on talent alone. Their chemistry -- until about February -- was a strong bond that appeared unbreakable. But Hibbert, according to sources, defied a core belief of the team, which is to keep dirty laundry in-house.

So it's more predictable than shocking that Hibbert and the Pacers would be open to the idea of change.

The hard part of this equation is identifying a landing spot for the expensive, slumping big man, as NBC Sports' Brett Pollakoff noted:

Not only does Hibbert have two years and $30 million remaining on his current contract, but the second year is a player option — meaning he can opt out of his deal following next season to become an unrestricted free agent.

Teams don’t give up real assets in exchange for one-year rentals, especially for guys like Hibbert who just came off of a season playing so far below the value on that contract.

In other words, Hibbert presents something of a lose-lose scenario for any potential suitor.

If he rediscovers his form, he could opt out of his contract in 2015 and take his talents elsewhere. If he struggles again next season, he could put a heavy, $15.5 million burden on someone's payroll for the 2015-16 campaign by playing out his deal, via ShamSports.com.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Robin Lopez may not be as talented but he is a warrior. Hibbert is a mental midget.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Hibbert could shore up our bench well. But if he's going to play at a Hasheem Thabeet level, I'd rather just get him and save some cash.

 

[Blazer4ever]

We don't really need him, not worth the salaries we'd have to send back. He should stay in Indiana and make it work there.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

The Pelicans could trade Evans or Gordon for him I bet.

Gordon and Hibbert are on the same exact deals and Gordon is from Indy.

 

[Mediocre Man]

If I'm the Lakers id do what I could to get him and Love.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

If I'm the Lakers id do what I could to get him and Love.

Man that'd be fun.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If I'm the Lakers id do what I could to get him and Love.

Kobe is not going anywhere. They would then have 3 guys taking up 55 million of their cap. I would love that.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Kobe is not going anywhere. They would then have 3 guys taking up 55 million of their cap. I would love that.

For 2 years. They would have a good playoff front court

 

[Draco]

If we can give up expiring contracts, bench players and an unprotected draft pick I make the trade. He'd be awesome off the bench. Let him and Lopez each go 24min a game

 

[PapaG]

If I'm the Lakers id do what I could to get him and Love.

That's a pretty good idea. I think that front-court combo could work, not that I would want to see the Lakers do well.

 

[PapaG]

If we can give up expiring contracts, bench players and an unprotected draft pick I make the trade. He'd be awesome off the bench. Let him and Lopez each go 24min a game

Paying the back-up center $15m/year seems excessive and unnecessary to me. Trading Lopez and Matthews might get Indy's attention, though, if they want to move Hibbert. I'd take a motivated Hibbert (assuming that can happen) over a motivated RoLo every single time. The problem is wondering if Hibbert could play the RoLo role of garbage man/banger to free up LMA on offense.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

If I'm the Lakers id do what I could to get him and Love.

Sounds like Love may have his eyes on Boston.

 

[PapaG]

Sounds like Love may have his eyes on Boston.

Which is just hilarious, since he wants to be paid a max deal. He'll fail to bring that team anywhere near a title, too. He's Shareef Abdur-Rahim on statistical steroids for bad teams.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Which is just hilarious, since he wants to be paid a max deal. He'll fail to bring that team anywhere near a title, too. He's Shareef Abdur-Rahim on statistical steroids for bad teams.

I can see that...

Another disappointing placement in the lottery for Danny. So...If Rajon Rondo is to Paul Pierce. And Kevin Love is to Kevin Garnett (The dude coming from Minnesota). Who will Danny bring in to be the Ray Allen?

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I can see that...

Another disappointing placement in the lottery for Danny. So...If Rajon Rondo is to Paul Pierce. And Kevin Love is to Kevin Garnett (The dude coming from Minnesota). Who will Danny bring in to be the Ray Allen?

Ben Gordon. Career resurgence.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Ben Gordon. Career resurgence.

Interesting idea.

I think it has to be someone worthy of the #6 pick. Is Ben that?

 

[PapaG]

I can see that...

Another disappointing placement in the lottery for Danny. So...If Rajon Rondo is to Paul Pierce. And Kevin Love is to Kevin Garnett (The dude coming from Minnesota). Who will Danny bring in to be the Ray Allen?

Rondo was a huge key to that title in the first place.

Kevin Love isn't even close to Kevin Garnett.

Ray Allen ... I don't see a guard like him in the NBA right now who the Celtics could get.

The biggest problem for the Celtics is that the "Big Three" needed Rondo to win that title.

 

[PapaG]

Interesting idea.

I think it has to be someone worthy of the #6 pick. Is Ben that?

I'm not sure Gordon is worth a 6-pack of Hop Czar, let alone the #6 pick in the 2014 draft.

 

[Strenuus]

Paying the back-up center $15m/year seems excessive and unnecessary to me. Trading Lopez and Matthews might get Indy's attention, though, if they want to move Hibbert. I'd take a motivated Hibbert (assuming that can happen) over a motivated RoLo every single time. The problem is wondering if Hibbert could play the RoLo role of garbage man/banger to free up LMA on offense.

If Hibbert isn't going to be motivated for half of 3 playoff series, you really think he's ever going to?

I don't want Hibbert anywhere near this team. He's a team sabotage waiting to happen.

 

[PapaG]

If Hibbert isn't going to be motivated for half of 3 playoff series, you really think he's ever going to?

I don't want Hibbert anywhere near this team. He's a team sabotage waiting to happen.

I'm not saying make the trade. I'm just trying to offer a realistic option for making the trade. Indiana isn't going to trade Hibbert for the Blazers' bench garbage and future unprotected picks.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

How many of you would take LA and Robin and trade them to Indy for Paul George and Hibbert?

 

[PapaG]

How many of you would take LA and Robin and trade them to Indy for Paul George and Hibbert?

Not me.

 

[RR7]

How many of you would take LA and Robin and trade them to Indy for Paul George and Hibbert?

I'd need to know what went down in Indiana, and whether there was an issue between the two, obviously. If they're cool, and the issue was elsewhere, then yeah, I think I might make that swap.

 

[PapaG]

I'd need to know what went down in Indiana, and whether there was an issue between the two, obviously. If they're cool, and the issue was elsewhere, then yeah, I think I might make that swap.

They socialize on bodies of water. So did the crew on The Bounty. So did Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood.

 

[RR7]

:MARIS61:

 

[PapaG]

:MARIS61:

 

[Sinobas]

If they just want to dump him for expiring contracts, Freeland, Leonard and Wright should come close to doing it since we're under the cap, they add up to 8.5 mil and we're like 5 mil under the cap.

 

[PapaG]

If they just want to dump him for expiring contracts, Freeland, Leonard and Wright should come close to doing it since we're under the cap, they add up to 8.5 mil and we're like 5 mil under the cap.

Why would Indiana do this?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Unfortunately Hibbert can't trade himself though.