My theory on why Hibbert will come to Portland next year

I love this...."Twitter results indicate the population believes we should invade Canada...Operation 'Canadian Bacon' is green lit!"

 

I can't see how Hibbert at his price tag would do much more for us than RoLo does for us now.

 

I like Rolo a lot. Don't get me wrong. I just think Hibbert has the talent to be one of the top two centers in the league simply because of his defense. Rolo has his limitations. I think he was great for us last season, and I would be satisfied with him as our center going forward, BUT I'm not sure our team is good enough to win a championship as it is currently constructed. So that means we have to upgrade one of our starting five. It seems like the free agent market really only has All-Star centers next summer, which is concerning because I think Wes and Rolo are going to get paid.

 

Individually, I think Hibbert is the better player. However, as a fit, both on and off the court, I like RoLo better.

In terms of future value, I think Lopez will get a Gortat-sized deal, not the max that Hibbert got.

 

I like Rolo a lot off the court. I do agree that he's probably better in terms of chemistry and personality. I think Rolo will probably get somewhere between Gortat and Hibbert, but I think it's unlikely that Hibbert will get a max deal. There will be doubts about him. A max deal for him is quite a bit of money, and I think Indy will be hesitant to give him that. There were rumors that they wanted to trade him this summer.

The fear, for me, is that we try to go after Gasol or Hibbert and we lose Rolo in the process, while not acquiring either of the big name guys.

 

I thought Hibbert was working off a max deal now. Am I wrong?

 

The rookie max, I believe, which is the max deal you're eligible for coming off your rookie deal. Now he's eligible for the veteran's max, which is the type of thing LeBron James gets.

 

Minstrel beat me to it. He's on a rookie max deal, and he can sign a significantly higher contract next summer.

 

Hibbert is set to make just under 15mil next year.

 

After seeing that injury I am left thinking this will be a season of rehab for PG. Going to be a tough year offensively for the pacers after losing lance, and now potentially George as well.

Hibbert to portland is looking more likely each day, hate to see pg go down though.

 

Not gonna lie I had the same thought, but Damn I feel so bad about Paul it feels wrong .

 

Yes, but I am very optimistic for him. With medical technology what it is today there is hope that he can come back and be the player he can be. You saw it with Livingston, you see it with d rose. I hope George is able to recover from this!

 

I agree but think he's more likely going to miss a season and a half or two but he's young and strong. That's a good thing.

 

If he is out a season and a half to two years, I could see Indy go in a different direction and move Hibbert. But if they made that decision I can only see it being a rebuild job in which I think they would be looking for picks or young assets. Exactly, who does Portland have that would excite them in an exchange?

 

No one would give up anything unless he was willing to re sign. Basically he stays put or goes where he wants to in a random trade or playing it not and walking.

 

You're one that thinks it's a possibility that he comes to Portland. Do you think it will be via trade or free agency and what do you think they give up if it's a trade?

 

Well, Lopez for one. He's way better than anything else they would get for him.

 

I don't think they give up anything, they know they don't have to. Which pretty much eliminates a trade. I don't think they could make that work salary wise without messing with the s5.

I definitely think it happens via FA. Unless another team makes a play on Hibbert, and it turns into a serious threat. If that were to happen I think the staff would evaluate their standing with their current players and soon to be FAs (nic, Wes, Rolo) and look at moving someone that isn't fully committed to the teams plan for the future.

 

I'm wondering how much less than max we could get Hibbert for. He's definitely an upgrade over Rolo, but how much of an upgrade? Is he a big enough upgrade to make it worth losing Wes to get?

 

I wouldn't be surprised if we lose Wes regardless. He could end up being a consolation signing, and could get more than we are willing to give. I think you can place Barton in at the two and retain a similar scrappy, go for it defender, instead of Wes. It would come down to Wes or Rolo anyways, and I would rather have the depth at the 5.