The Roy Hibbert trade rumors have died down since reports came out about the Indiana Pacers exploring deals between the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns, but there is still a chance it happens before the season starts, as teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets or Bucks could be interested and this comes as Indy is still trying to find a way to replace Paul George in the lineup.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Pacers have explored trades with Hibbert and this comes after his terrible playoffs performance and also after Paul George was injured. The site reported that the team looked into the Pistons with Greg Monroe and also the Suns with Goran Dragic. The Suns deal is an interesting one to look at, as Dragic could help make up for the lost production of Paul George and he also would be a markedly better point guard than George Hill has been. The Pacers may not make a major deal this offseason, but things could change once the season gets going.
Marc Stein wrote earlier in the offseason that the Pacers "dreamed" of a trade for Dragic, as they want an upgrade for Hill. The Suns have Isaiah Thomas and Tyler Ennis and they are trying to sign back Eric Bledsoe, which could potentially make Dragic expendable. The team also has long been looking for a veteran big and Hibbert could be that guys if they opt to make a deal. The Pacers have a solid core of players even with George out, but they need more to make a run in the east.
The Indiana Pacers are dealing with the injury to Paul George and Shawn Marion was their top free agent target to help replace him and over names like MarShon Brooks and Gary Forbes, who have also been mentioned as potential targets for the team. Marion is now out of the mix after agreeing to a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and now the Pacers may have to find another way to replace George. The team added Rodney Stuckey in the offseason as a bench option and he may have to play a bigger role this season with George out.
George being out is a massive blow to the Indiana Pacers as well as the NBA as a whole, as he is a budding superstar and he was looking to rise to the next level this season. George has been one of the most consistent players in the league over the past couple years and he has been working hard to get better and now he will have to work very hard to just get back on the court.
The Pacers shopped Roy Hibbert this offseason but that was before the George injury and now it's very unlikely that he will be moved. Losing George is a big blow, but injuries can happen everywhere and Derrick Rose knows that better than anyone and so do the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls made the playoffs both years without Rose and now the Pacers will have to find a way to make it without George.