Hibbert has been in the league for six seasons. This is the first time this kind of thing has come up. He's a perennial All-Star. I get the concern, but come on... he deserves another chance.
What I like about Rolo over Hibbert is his freethrow shooting and the fact he doesn't need touches or complain if he's not in the offensive scheme. Rolo also has only one year with the Blazers under Stotts system. I think Rolo will be even better next season. Joel Freeland when healthy kept the bench in games and we were killing it when he came off the bench before his injury. He was sorely missed in the playoffs and not in game shape. Expect Freeland to make another leap before the next season begins. If Leonard improves defensively he also makes his freethrows and shoots well. Rolo, Freeland and Leonard if all improve going into next season could prove that cap space and roster spots can be filled in other areas better than another big. Hibbert is a gamble, but I'll bet Neil is considering it.
No chance I trade any of our starters for him, terrible message to our team and a real risk of that backfiring. But if we can get him for backups and an unprotected draft pick I do it. Send a guy like TRob or CJ, Freeland, Wright to a third team which opens up cap space for the Pacers. They need a PG and to keep Lance they don't have the space for that right now. We are over the cap this next year then Hibbert will be an expiring contract so we can get away from his deal if it doesn't work out. Him and Rolo can both play 24mins a game fine. Hibbert has asthma and shouldn't play more than that, he was physically fresh at the start of the year. LMA and Hibbert are good friends. With Paul George impregnating ladies and Lance antics that Pacers group was fragile, I'd be willing to take a gamble on Hibbert returning to form but only if we acquire him at a discount. If another team wants to pay more or Indy wants to stand pat that's fine, we don't have to make any moves.
Pekovic is getting 12 million a year. Hibbert is getting 13 million a year. Yeah... I think Rolo will get around 10.
When I heard Indy and Hib were talking trade my first thought was pretty much everything you've brought up so I can appreciate the discussion, to bad both is not a realistic option. I guess for me it really comes down to what really happened in Indiana this year? Its all still a big mystery but at the moment Hibbert is the one looking bad to me. When he is good though he is good and Hibbert really is the perfect center to pair with LA. I also consider Rolo more than a role player for us, his heart and game is very hard to reproduces at 7 feet in the NBA and I can only name a handful of centers I would rather have at the moment. Also his personality fits in with the team and city and I get the feeling that he really likes Portland, which goes a long way IMO since we are not South Beach or Broadway.
I just wouldn't be surprised if Neil went after Hibbert. He wanted him two summers ago, and if he's on the market, I wouldn't be shocked to see Neil make a play.
If he has a repeat performance from last season Rolo will definitely make over $10 million a year. Cap is going up and there are always a shortage of effective bigs. Could be close to the max. I'd like us to extend Rolo and Wes this summer so we don't get stuck having to overpay. I'd be fine with keeping Hibbert and Lopez, it would only be one year they both have huge contracts at the same time, and thats the final season before a Damian extension takes effect.
I don't think Neil is going to extend anyone this summer. He specifically talked about keeping cap flexibility for next summer.
Its odd to me, fans here talk so much about how we need to strengthen our bench but then some want to trade away multiple starters for a lateral upgrade. Other fans dont want to add a starting quality player to our bench because they think he needs a bigger role. I don't get it.
Rolo is a great fit, but a motivated Hibbert is a huge upgrade. He's a viable option on offense in the post. A perfect complement to LMA. The problem is the Blazers have to come up with salaries to balance the trade. It's going to create a hole in the lineup, or you end up starting a guy like Mo.
