The Indiana Pacers are attempting to figure out how to rebuild a roster they believed was made to win a championship this season. After falling to the Miami Heat yet again in the Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers are left to reconsider the players they currently have. Changes could come via free agency or a trade or Larry Bird could just try and get everyone to mature during the offseason.
Bird spoke with the media before closing out the year and the president of basketball operations had nothing but positive things to say despite the early finish. Bird spent plenty of time addressing the biggest piece to the Pacers offseason, Lance Stephenson. Much has been made about the guards future in Indiana considering he is a free agent come July 1. While early reports suggest Stephenson is not getting offered a new contract, Bird stressed that is not the case, for now.
"I think his ceiling is what he wants it to be," said Bird, via ESPN.com. "I always want him back. You just don't let talent like that walk away if you can help it. We've talked about it briefly, but I haven't sat down with the owner [Herb Simon] yet. There's going to be a price and we're not going to go over that."
A year ago, Stephenson could have demanded a top dollar, multi-year deal. However, after a roller coaster season that displayed more immaturity than high scoring games, the guard's value has dropped. Stephenson could also be competing with Evan Turner to get a new contract. Turner was acquired at the trade deadline and while he made very little impact, he could be signed to a cheaper deal while Stephenson heads off to the open market.
Bird noted that he was not planning a roster overhaul in the offseason, but will entertain trade offers that include a first-round draft pick. Could that trade come via Roy Hibbert? On Monday, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that Hibbert was considering a move from the Pacers in order to start fresh after his secord-half downfall this season. Despite his lack of production in the postseason, Hibbert is still an elite center and plenty of teams would love to acquire him.
Hibbert's agent David Falk informed NBA.com's David Aldridge that those reports are untrue. He noted that Hibbert is committed to the Pacers and they are committed to him.
"From the first day Larry Bird committed to draft Roy Hibbert in June 2008 [Hibbert was actually acquired via a Draft-day trade from Toronto], the Pacers and Roy have been a wonderful fit. Challenges this season have not changed that for Roy ... Roy does not have an entourage. I am his principle advisor ... his 'camp' has not expressed any opinions to [ESPN] whatsoever concerning a trade," Falk said.
Hibbert has been mentioned in trade deals for elite point guards like Rajon Rondo while the team could try and sign someone like Kyle Lowry with the extra money. Along with Hibbert, George Hill could be getting the boot or traded. While Bird said he likes Hill, he is owed $8 million a year for the next three years. For a player that is not elite, that kind of contract will get someone traded very quickly.
