The Indiana Pacers have shopped a Roy Hibbert trade this summer and teams like the Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers could be potential options and names like Goran Dragic, Greg Monroe and Wesley Matthews could be targets if Indy tries to make a move, as they are still trying to replace Paul George in the lineup after his serious injury.
The Pacers are still reeling a bit from the injury to George and that is why the team was looking at Shawn Marion and now that he is signing to the Cavaliers, the team may need to pull off other moves. According to ESPN.com and Pro Basketball Talk, the Pacers have shopped Hibbert this summer in multiple deals and the Pistons and Suns could be potential options for the team. PBT reported that the Pacers looked at trades with Dragic and also with Greg Monroe, but so far now serious talks have happened between those teams.
Marc Stein wrote earlier in the offseason for ESPN.com that the Pacers "dream" of a Dragic trade, as they are looking to upgrade from George Hill at point guard. Stein wrote earlier in the offseason that the Pacers were considering a deal and now that George is out for the season, there is a chance that they could push ahead with a move. Dragic is coming off of a strong year and he won most improved player for the 2013-14 season after averaging over 20 points per game. The Suns signed Isaiah Thomas and plan to keep Eric Bledsoe and after drafting Tyler Ennis, the team may be able to deal with life without Dragic.
The Pacers have lost their best player in Paul George and as a budding superstar he was expected to make some major developments this season. George was injured while playing USA Basketball and he now will be out for the year, but doctors have been optimistic about his recovery. George fractured his leg and his surgery was successful and fortunately there was not ligament damage or ancillary damage. The Pacers felt they had the chance to compete for a championship this season and now the injury could derail all of that.
The Pacers have now lost to the Miami Heat two seasons in a row and this year could have been the chance to make it with LeBron gone. George being out is a massive loss and that could be one reason why the team tries to trade, as the free agent market is getting down to the bottom of the barrel. Hibbert did not perform well in the playoffs last season and that is why they are shopping him, but if Indy doesn't get a solid enough player or pick in return, it's likely no trade will be going down.
Pro Basketball Talk reported the recent interest in Dragic and right now it looks like Hibbert would be the player to get moves if the Pacers trade. Indiana is not looking to blow everything up with George out and if a deal for Hibbert isn't worth it for the franchise, the team will keep him and hope for the best with the roster they have now, which also includes Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey was signed as a free agent and now could be relied on much more with George out.
