The Indiana Pacers are trying to replace Paul George after his serious injury and reports have the team shopping a Roy Hibbert trade or potentially a David West deal and one target could be point guard Goran Dragic with the Phoenix Suns, as that would give the team an upgrade over George Hill and a solid offensive player in the lineup after George's injury.
According to ESPN.com writer Marc Stein, the Pacers "dream" of a Dragic trade and that report came before the George injury and that could force the team to really try to make a move. George is the best player and best offensive threat on the Pacers and losing him was a devastating blow and while he is expected to make a full recovery, the team needs someone to step up now for this season. The Pacers felt they were on their way to being a championship contender after making to the east finals the past two years and now all that could be derailed.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Pacers have been shopping Roy Hibbert and two options include the Detroit Pistons and the Suns. The report says that the Pistons could be a trade partner with Greg Monroe, as he is a restricted free agent and has not been able to secure the deal he wants on the market or from the Pistons. The Pacers explored a Hibbert for Monroe deal, but so far there has been no concrete movement and now reports have Monroe looking to sign the one year qualifying offer with the Pistons, which would make him a free agent after next season.
The Pacers also reportedly looked into a deal with Dragic and Hibbert and that would have included Chris Copeland, but there hasn't been much movement there either. Adding Dragic would be a fine move for the Pacers, as they want an upgrade for George Hill at point guard and it also would give the team another solid offensive player to take over for George. The Suns are trying to sign back Eric Bledsoe and they have already added Isaiah Thomas and Tyler Ennis this offseason, meaning they could afford to deal with the loss of Dragic, who won most improved player last season.
The Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers are massively improved and that will make the central division one of the toughest in the league. The Cavs obviously have a step up with the Kevin Love trade, while the Chicago Bulls added Pau Gasol and a healthy Derrick Rose and that could give the team a chance to make a run.
The Pacers were the best defensive team in the league last season by points per game, but their offense was lacking and while part of that was due to the fact they did not need to score as much, they have to find a way to improve. The team did that with George in the lineup and now he will be out for a season and if they don't get Shawn Marion (who is also getting interest from the Cavs) the team may have to make a trade to keep this season alive.
