Sign-and-trade Hickson this summer

[Natebishop3]

This is the best way to go.

I wonder if Indy would do a Hickson/Freeland for Hibbert swap...

 

[BlazerCaravan]

This is the best way to go.

I wonder if Indy would do a Hickson/Freeland for Hibbert swap...

Are they feeling really disappointed in Hibbert this season?

 

[Blazinaway]

Are they feeling really disappointed in Hibbert this season?

they've been rollin the past 15-20 games, their D is really good

 

[Natebishop3]

Are they feeling really disappointed in Hibbert this season?

I thought I heard that they had a little buyer remorse for paying him so much. Either way, Hickson has a higher PER and would give them a nice inside scorer to pair with Paul George. West is a FA this summer and that dude isn't worth what he probably thinks he's worth.

 

[B-Roy]

I thought I heard that they had a little buyer remorse for paying him so much. Either way, Hickson has a higher PER and would give them a nice inside scorer to pair with Paul George. West is a FA this summer and that dude isn't worth what he probably thinks he's worth.

Except Hibbert impacts the game much more than Hickson. Swapping the two would be a huge mistake for Indy.

 

[NOVoodoo]

Except Hibbert impacts the game much more than Hickson. Swapping the two would be a huge mistake for Indy.

It could also be a huge mistake for the Blazers. Hibbert's contract is an albatross. He's locked in at just under $45 mill for the next 3 years.

 

[BBert]

This is the best way to go.

I wonder if Indy would do a Hickson/Freeland for Hibbert swap...

I wish. Throw in an 'up and coming combo guard' from Duke and next year's draft pick (since we are about to lose this year's).

 

[BBert]

It could also be a huge mistake for the Blazers. Hibbert's contract is an albatross. He's locked in at just under $45 mill for the next 3 years.

Three years? Don't care. That's a blink of an eye. Moreover, it would virtually complete our team.

 

[B-Roy]

It could also be a huge mistake for the Blazers. Hibbert's contract is an albatross. He's locked in at just under $45 mill for the next 3 years.

I would do it. The Blazers need a defensive center more than anything else, and Hibbert is most definitely a top 5 defensive anchor in the league. He would complete the "core" with Lillard, LMA, and Batum. I'm not too concerned about the cap, they will have enough to absorb Hibbert's contract and not run into the luxury tax. Then they can slowly acquire role players from the draft/MLE/trades, etc.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would do it. The Blazers need a defensive center more than anything else, and Hibbert is most definitely a top 5 defensive anchor in the league. He would complete the "core" with Lillard, LMA, and Batum. I'm not too concerned about the cap, they will have enough to absorb Hibbert's contract and not run into the luxury tax. Then they can slowly acquire role players from the draft/MLE/trades, etc.

Exactly. Hibbert is a position of need for us. It would be worth overpaying him, and then re-signing Maynor. Maybe trying to draft the best possible scorer for the bench.

I don't see how Hibbert impacts the game more though. Hickson pretty much puts up bigger numbers in every category other than blocks.

Higher PER.

Higher scoring average.

Higher rebounds.

MUCH higher FG %.

 

[B-Roy]

Exactly. Hibbert is a position of need for us. It would be worth overpaying him, and then re-signing Maynor. Maybe trying to draft the best possible scorer for the bench.

I don't see how Hibbert impacts the game more though. Hickson pretty much puts up bigger numbers in every category other than blocks.

Higher PER.

Higher scoring average.

Higher rebounds.

MUCH higher FG %.

Defense is half the game. Hickson gives you absolutely 0 on that side, whereas Hibbert is one of the best.

 

[BBert]

Hibbert is the only "possibly" obtainable center I'm strongly interested in. The rest are either aging stop gaps while we pray Leonard pans out, or flawed and not much of an improvement over Hickson.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I like Hickson but check that advanced defensive stats of Hibbert vs him. DRtg and DWS.

 

[Natebishop3]

Defense is half the game. Hickson gives you absolutely 0 on that side, whereas Hibbert is one of the best.

I like Hickson but check that advanced defensive stats of Hibbert vs him. DRtg and DWS.

I Know what you guys are getting at, but where Hibbert is superior on defense, Hickson is vastly superior on offense. He's younger, and he will most likely command much less in terms of a contract. I don't see Hickson getting more than 8 or 9 million. Hibbert is currently at 13 million per year. They're about to spend big bucks re-signing Paul George. Indy is a small market without a rich owner.

 

[B-Roy]

I Know what you guys are getting at, but where Hibbert is superior on defense, Hickson is vastly superior on offense. He's younger, and he will most likely command much less in terms of a contract. I don't see Hickson getting more than 8 or 9 million. Hibbert is currently at 13 million per year. They're about to spend big bucks re-signing Paul George. Indy is a small market without a rich owner.

I don't see Hickson as massively superior on offense. Great hustle guy, but he gets his stats because the defense is completely focused on stopping Lillard/Aldridge and the three point shooters. There's not as many offensive threats on the pacers. Put Hibbert on the Blazers and I'll bet his efficiency increases.

 

[BBert]

...and throw in $3mil of Paul's couch cushion money!

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't see Hickson as massively superior on offense. Great hustle guy, but he gets his stats because the defense is completely focused on stopping Lillard/Aldridge and the three point shooters. There's not as many offensive threats on the pacers. Put Hibbert on the Blazers and I'll bet his efficiency increases.

I disagree. Firstly, Hickson is pretty obviously much better on offense.

58% FG compared to Hibbert shooting 42%.

13 PPG compared to 10 PPG

All while attempting a full shot less than Hibbert. Also, the Pacers have their own share of offensive weapons. Paul George, Danny Granger, David West. It's not like they're devoid of scorers on that team. That's why they're winning so much.

 

[NOVoodoo]

There's a difference between overpaying a good defensive player to fill a gap in your roster, but making a role player your highest paid player over the next three seasons just seems short-sighted.

BTW - Call me crazy, but I'm wary of 7'2" centers that average 8.1 rpg.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I believe Ben Golliver just called JJ Hickson fools gold and compared him to Kris Humphries saying last season he was putting up all these great numbers, got the huge contract and is out of the Rotation in Brooklyn. Ben said it on Talkin Ball

 

[Natebishop3]

There's a difference between overpaying a good defensive player to fill a gap in your roster, but making a role player your highest paid player over the next three seasons would just be short-sighted.

This summer is really our only chance to add a few difference makers. Aldridge is coming up for free agency in another year or two (at which point he will be our highest paid), we've got Dame to think about, and then there's guys like Matthews and Maynor. This will most likely be our only shot at cap space for a while. We have to overpay if we want to bring in someone that will "move the needle" so to speak.

 

[Blazinaway]

Hibbert is the only "possibly" obtainable center I'm strongly interested in. The rest are either aging stop gaps while we pray Leonard pans out, or flawed and not much of an improvement over Hickson.

how bout Asik? very good D and rebounder, lets hope HOU gets Dwight and he's readily available

 

[Natebishop3]

how bout Asik? very good D and rebounder, lets hope HOU gets Dwight and he's readily available

I'd bet they try to keep him to back up Dwight. I'd sure as hell want insurance in case Dwight's back acts up again.

 

[B-Roy]

I disagree. Firstly, Hickson is pretty obviously much better on offense.

58% FG compared to Hibbert shooting 42%.

13 PPG compared to 10 PPG

All while attempting a full shot less than Hibbert. Also, the Pacers have their own share of offensive weapons. Paul George, Danny Granger, David West. It's not like they're devoid of scorers on that team. That's why they're winning so much.

Hibbert is having his most inefficient season of his career. This co-incides with Danny Granger missing most of the season. Last season, with Granger, Hibbert was a 19PER 50% shooter, and he would probably average around that with the Blazers. The gap he and Hickson's offense does not equal the gap between their defense.

The reason Indiana is winning is because of their (and subsequently, Hibbert's) defense, period. They are 25th in the league in offensive efficiency, 2nd in defense. It's not even disputable. They are a terrible offense team this year that has a winning record because their defense allows them to win a majority of their grind out games.

 

[NOVoodoo]

This summer is really our only chance to add a few difference makers. Aldridge is coming up for free agency in another year or two (at which point he will be our highest paid), we've got Dame to think about, and then there's guys like Matthews and Maynor. This will most likely be our only shot at cap space for a while. We have to overpay if we want to bring in someone that will "move the needle" so to speak.

Why is this your only shot at cap space for a while? It's not like you have to use it this free agency, or am I missing something there?

2014 seems like a much more reasonable time to go after a center with Cousins, Monroe, Bogut, Gortat, Varejao, and Okafor out there.

Also, let's say Lillard wants out of his deal early for a bigger contract. To ensure he stays in Portland long-term, the Blazers could do that next summer, but if they had Hibbert's contract on the books, that'd put them way over the luxury tax and probably mean losing Aldridge.

 

[B-Roy]

There's a difference between overpaying a good defensive player to fill a gap in your roster, but making a role player your highest paid player over the next three seasons just seems short-sighted.

BTW - Call me crazy, but I'm wary of 7'2" centers that average 8.1 rpg.

I don't understand this, that cap space is useless without a player to fill it. You either get someone that will impact wins and losses or you a group of players that don't add up to the same impact of that one player. That money is going to be spent, might as well spend it on a guy that will change your team from the start.

 

[Blazinaway]

I'd bet they try to keep him to back up Dwight. I'd sure as hell want insurance in case Dwight's back acts up again.

they got two young guys, Donte Monte and Olbrecht for backups, start payin Dwight big bucks and ya gotta move a guy like Asik ans cap issues start to mount.

 

[Natebishop3]

Why is this your only shot at cap space for a while? It's not like you have to use it this free agency, or am I missing something there.

2014 seems like a much more reasonable time to go after a center with Cousins, Monroe, Bogut, Gortat, Varejao, and Okafor out there.

Also, let's say Lillard wants out of his deal early for a bigger contract. To ensure he stays in Portland long-term, the Blazers could do that next summer, but if they had Hibbert's contract on the books, that'd put them way over the luxury tax and probably mean losing Aldridge.

Paul Allen doesn't give a shit about the luxury tax. He won't let Aldridge leave because of the luxury tax.

The Blazers have to do something this summer, otherwise they have to let Maynor and Hickson walk for nothing.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I don't understand this, that cap space is useless without a player to fill it. You either get someone that will impact wins and losses or you a group of players that don't add up to the same impact of that one player. That money is going to be spent, might as well spend it on a guy that will change your team from the start.

We more than most know the value of Invisible Cap Space and RLEC.

 

[BBert]

how bout Asik? very good D and rebounder, lets hope HOU gets Dwight and he's readily available

Decent consolation, and better than what we have now. But my money says Dwight stays in Clown Town.

 

[NOVoodoo]

Paul Allen doesn't give a shit about the luxury tax. He won't let Aldridge leave because of the luxury tax.

The Blazers have to do something this summer, otherwise they have to let Maynor and Hickson walk for nothing.

What would be a better move long-term though: using the cap space on a better free agency class, or spending the money this summer, just because it's there? Go ahead and let Hickson walk. If the move's not going to make you an immediate title contender, wouldn't it be better to just be patient and hold out?