Hibbert could be sacrificed as Pacers eye rebuild after loss of Stephenson and George injury.
The Indiana Pacers have reportedly offered center Roy Hibbert to both the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons, with both rejecting their advances.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Pacers are shopping Hibbert but have seen their efforts dismissed by both franchises due to the players with which they hope to exchange.
It is understood that Indiana are looking to sign either guard Goran Dragic or Greg Monroe, but following on from Hibbert’s decline in the second-half of the season last year, it appears as though they are finding it difficult to attract interest.
After Lance Stephenson was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, the Pacers were dealt another blow as Paul George was ruled out for the season after sustaining a compound leg fracture during an exhibition game with Team USA.
As a result, it is reported that the front office are now considering a rebuilding process in which they are open to losing Hibbert, but with the 27-year-old seemingly struggling to have any impact in the post-season last year, interest has diminished significantly.
It is also suggested that Hibbert’s contract will also be a stumbling block in any negotiations, and ultimately it may come down to the Pacers being forced to work with their current roster and hoping the towering center regains his dominant form from the season before last to either help them moving forward or raise his profile again.
Nevertheless, it is a difficult period for the Pacers as not only have they lost significant pieces from their roster over the past two seasons, but their rivals in the Eastern Conference have also strengthened.
Both the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers are likely to battle for the No.1 seed in the East next season, leaving the Pacers with a real task to compete with the likes of the Miami Heat, New York and Brooklyn Nets to secure a high seeding if they are to make the playoffs at all.
Having built their success on defense, it is likely that their lack of scoring ability will be the main reason behind their struggles in the new campaign.
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