FORT WAYNE, Ind. —
OK, Indiana Pacers, your move.
Portland sent a strong message to the Indiana franchise on the first day of the NBA free agency period Sunday, as the Trailblazers offered Pacers center Roy Hibbert a maximum contract of four years for $58 million.
Hibbert is expected to sign an offer sheet at his first opportunity, which will be July 11, while Indiana will have three days to decide to match the offer to the restricted free agent once it’s signed or let him go.
Last week, new Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard made the statement that the team would try and re-sign the 7-foot-2 All-Star center, but Hibbert’s receiving a maximum deal by Portland could invariably alter that decision.
“You are always trying to upgrade your team,” Pritchard said. “We think our starting five is pretty effective. We still have work to do to retain Hibbert and (George) Hill. We’re going to work our tail off, and we are going to get those guys done.”
Hill reportedly agreed to a new five-year deal with Indiana on Monday. He averaged 9.6 points and 2.9 assists per game during the regular season and increased his scoring to 13.5 points per game in the playoffs.
Hill also drew the defensive assignment against Dwyane Wade, harassing the Miami Heat guard as the Pacers built a 2-1 series lead.
So it was an easy decision to bring the Indianapolis native back into the fold.
But can Indiana also afford Hibbert at $14.5 million per season?
The Pacers actually have a lot going for them in terms of retaining Hibbert. First of all, if they match the offer, they retain his services. Secondly, Hibbert has spoken very favorably in the past about his affinity for this franchise and the direction that it is headed. And thirdly, Indiana can actually offer a fifth year and $21 million more than any other team can award the 25-year-old center.
With Indiana having rebuilt its franchise with young talent and poised to be an Eastern Conference contender for years to come, new team president Donnie Walsh stated recently that it was imperative to keep the talent that Indiana has already acquired.
“When you talk about free agents,” Walsh explained, “the No. 1 priority for a team that has had a good year is to retain your own players, and that will be our priority.”
Yeah, but at $14.5 million per season?
Indiana added depth to its frontcourt in last Thursday’s NBA draft with the first round selection of 6-foot-10 Miles Plumlee, another Indiana native who was born in Fort Wayne and raised in Warsaw before playing high school basketball in North Carolina.
That selection was made by outgoing team president Larry Bird, who perhaps knew what would ultimately happen in regards to Hibbert being a coveted player on the open market.
“Right now, we don’t have no centers,” Bird said at the time. “We feel like (Plumlee) will be a Jeff Foster-type player, and that is good enough for us.”
Hibbert was obtained from Toronto during the summer of 2008 and has steadily progressed through his four seasons. After averaging just over seven points and three rebounds as a rookie, Hibbert put up averages of nearly 13 points and nine boards this season. In February, he made his initial All-Star Game appearance.
During Indiana’s playoff run this spring, Hibbert averaged more than 11 points and as many rebounds in 11 games.
“It’s interesting,” Pritchard said recently, “Donnie and I have had many conversations over the past few days, people have written about it and there are analytics about it, but continuity moving forward with good teams is really important. You want to keep the semblance of same guys because for whatever reason, they learn each other better. You look at the elite teams that have had sustained success, they stay together from year to year, with small changes. This team isn’t about blowing it up and starting anew. We have to keep the same pieces in place, and we’ve got to keep growing.”
Hoosier coming home?
There were reports that Indiana met with former Indiana University guard Eric Gordon on Sunday.
Gordon is a restricted free agent with the New Orleans Hornets, who have indicated that they will match any offer extended to Gordon.
The 6-foot-3 guard has averaged more than 18 points per game through his four-year career. However, he played in just nine games this season because of a knee injury.
A New Orleans teammate of Gordon’s that could enter the Pacers’ picture if things go awry with Hibbert is former Hornets center Chris Kaman.
The 7-foot-1 post player is an unrestricted free agent, and the Pacers have expressed interest in Kaman before.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert runs down the court during the first half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat on May 24 in Indianapolis. Darron Cummings / The Associated Press
Discussion
Blazers tempt Hibbert
Portland goes hard after restricted free agent center
- Sports
-
-
Win Little 500 tickets
The Herald Bulletin is giving away two tickets to the Little 500, scheduled for Saturday, May 25 at Anderson Speedway. Find out how to be entered in the drawing here.
-
LeBron saves Heat at buzzer of Game 1
LeBron James caught the inbounds pass, changed direction and immediately attacked the rim.
There was no one in his way.
There was no stopping him, either.
James made a layup as time expired in overtime, capping a 30-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist effort as the Miami Heat found a way to outlast the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a wildly back-and-forth Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night. There were 18 ties and 17 lead changes, the last two of those coming in the final 2.2 seconds. -
Arabians roll to softball sectional title
Pendleton Heights leadoff hitter Sarah Dixon set the table, and Arabians starting pitcher Bailey Benefiel made sure the visitors got none of the food.
The Arabians stopped Greenfield 7-1 Wednesday night to claim the sectional title. -
Raiders repeat at Eagles’ expense
For only the fourth time in school history and second year in a row, the Wapahani Lady Raiders are softball sectional 40 champions after a 9-4 win Wednesday over the host Frankton Lady Eagles. As with all championships, it did not come easy.
-
Anderson, Richmond left in suspense
The Anderson baseball team’s Class 4A sectional title defense began well Wednesday night.
The only problem is it still hasn’t finished. -
Lions, Blackhawks to be continued
Liberty Christian’s sectional semifinal softball game with Cowan was suspended due to lightning in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday night.
-
Frankton dominates battle of Eagles
A balanced offensive attack and a dominating pitching performance paced the Frankton Eagles as they soared past the Winchester Eagles in the opening round of the IHSAA Class 2A baseball Sectional No. 40, 10-0.
-
Colts Notebook: Luck enjoys first taste of OTAs
Last year at this time, Andrew Luck was in class at Stanford finishing up his degree in architecture design. So he missed the 10 voluntary practices marked as “organized team activities” that allow the offense to go against the defense in shorts and helmets for often energetic scrimmages.
On Wednesday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, Luck reflected on his first three days of OTAs and said the experience is another that will help him improve for his second season as the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback. -
Wilson claims winged sprint victory
Jacob Wilson turned in a dominating performance to win the Must See Winged Sprint feature at Anderson Speedway on Wednesday.
Starting from the pole position, Wilson pulled away from the start from Aaron Pierce. -
Rick Bramwell: Hunter in for big changes
Big changes are likely in store for Hoosier hunters this coming season.
I’m especially excited about the change in rabbit hunting. Slight adjustments will also be seen in deer hunting. It all adds up to more opportunities afield. - More Sports Headlines
-
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
Ex Ravens LB Ayanbadejo Talks Equality
