The NBA season is officially in full swing which means so are the trade rumors. The powers have shifted in the league and injuries have already hit some of the top-notch teams which means other players could be traded as a result. The Indiana Pacers have officially gone from one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference to one of the most overlooked after the losses of Paul George and Lance Stephenson. Could Roy Hibbert be next?
According to John Zitzler of BasketballInsiders.com is reporting that Hibbert and the Indiana Pacers are preparing to part ways at some point this season partially because the Pacers would like to trade the center and partially because Hibbert wants out as well. The center is easily one of the best at his position in the league which means his return rate is high and after a rough season last year, he could be looking to jump ship.
Zitzler is reporting that the trade rumors regarding Hibbert have been circling for about six months and now they might actually be starting to come to fruition. Hibbert has two years remaining on his contract, but the Pacers will have no issues trading that away considering how talented the center can be. The second year of Hibbert's contract is a player option which he is reportedly not keen on exercising so instead of losing the elite center for nothing in return, a mid-season trade could be the ideal move.
If the Pacers' season develops like many believe it will, they will put Hibbert on the market immediately. However, if the Pacers are able to keep things together and be contenders for the postseason, they will hold on to Hibbert for at least the duration of the season. Hibbert would be an expensive trade for any team especially in the middle of the season, but any contending team will make a move for him.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have already expressed interest in Hibbert. BasketballInsiders.com reported earlier in the offseason that Cleveland did call about the center's availability. Some believe that the Cavaliers' will have defensive issues. If Anderson Varejao struggles at center, Dan Gilbert and company will not hesitate to make a marquee trade. The Brooklyn Nets could also be an option. Brook Lopez is already starting the year off with an injury, leaving the team with Mason Plumlee and not much else. An unlikely candidate for a trade of Hibbert could be someone like the Toronto Raptors who might be a fringe team at the end of the season.
