The Indiana Pacers may trade Roy Hibbert this summer after the rough season they had losing to the Miami heat again in the playoffs and teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers could be in the mix for a Pacers deal, while names like Kyle Lowry and Isaiah Thomas could be free agent options for Indy.
The Pacers lost in the playoffs and ESPN.com reported that both Hibbert and the team would be open to a trade after the way this season went. The Pacers broke down in the second half of the year and Hibbert disappeared at times during the playoffs and the team was a complete mess with internal fighting and the blame game going around, Hibbert included. Hibbert is a good asset and he may now need a change of scenery and the Blazers could be an option after showing interest in him when he was a restricted free agent.
The Blazers tried to make an offer for Hibbert and they could do it again, while the Pelicans also are a fit for Hibbert moving forward as they try to rebuild. The Pacers need to make changes and this is one way to do it and this comes after Hibbert had all of his stats decrease in the second half of the season, including points, rebounds and blocks. The Blazers could add him to join Damian Lillard if they lose LaMarcus Aldridge and that could happen next season.
The Pacers signed Hibbert to a long term contract, but that was while Larry Bird was not there and after the way he performed in the playoffs this year he could be on his way out and according to ESPN.com, he would be open to a trade. The team also could be reeling a bit watching Kawhi Leonard play, as he has been tearing it up for the Spurs and he was drafted by the Pacers and traded.
The Pacers talked all season about wanting home court and feeling they could have won against Miami last season if they had Game 7 at home, but that did not happen and now they have to figure out what's next. Looking back, the Pacers totally got the worse end of the George Hill and Kawhi Leonard trade and now that looks pretty bad, as PG is the biggest weakness for the team right now. Leonard would not be there obviously but if the trade did not go down it wouldn't be Hill.
The Pacers went 56-26 and won the east and their division this season, but that wasn't good enough to beat Miami and while the series lasted six games, that last matchup was a total blowout. After the postseason ended, many speculated that the Pacers would be making changes and after the way Hibbert disappeared at times during games could mean he is on his way out. Hibbert signed an extension with the team and looked like he was turning the corner as a big man in the league, but he had multiple zero points/rebounds efforts in the playoffs and that simply cannot stand for a team looking to win championships.
