Indiana Pacers Rumor: Roy Hibbert Reportedly On Trade Block


The Indiana Pacers are reportedly shopping Roy Hibbert, the sometimes dominant big man who disappeared for key stretches of the playoffs this year.

For weeks sources said the Pacers were seeking a new home for the 7-foot center, but have had trouble finding a trade partner. Hibbert is due $30 million over the course of the next two seasons, the tail-end of a max deal he signed two summers ago.

The Pacers have reportedly come into difficulty shopping Roy Hibbert early in the summer, but lately the talks have picked up and have some new possibilities.

“I would say they’ve been doing that, but quietly,” one front-office source told The Sporting News.

Hibbert showed some dominant stretches as the Indiana Pacers jumped out to the best record on the Eastern Conference, but then shrunk in the stretch. He struggled through March and April, and when the playoffs came around averaged only 9.3 points and 5.5 rebounds.

Four times during the playoffs he was held scoreless, and struggled to grab rebounds.

The Pacers have shifted their focus to re-signing shooting guard Lance Stephenson, and have offered a 5-year, $44 million deal.

“They’re open to making major changes, if they’re there,” one general manager told Sporting News. “I think they’d be disappointed to see that same core group back intact, so it is a matter of, how drastic can the changes they make be? Moving Hibbert for multiple pieces would be a pretty drastic change, but they’re asking.”

It’s unclear who would be in the market for Hibbert. The Portland Trail Blazers were once rumored to be interested, but now seem focused on keeping LaMarcus Aldridge.

But plans could change as the Pacers keep an eye on the Miami Heat. If the Big Three break up and go elsewhere, it may take the pressure off a roster revamp and allow them to keep Roy Hibbert.

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