Roy Hibbert - Indy says they will match/offer same terms.

[Wizenheimer]

there is not much doubt Indiana will match

the reality is a max deal is probably only about 2 million more a year then they were hoping to pay. Factor in the 4.5% raises Portland can give vs the 7.5% Indiana would have very likely given...that's around a 2 million dollar savings for Indiana. Over a 4 year deal that's only about 6 million

[mojomarc]

I wonder if there is any chance that Indiana, not wanting to match, decides to tell Hibbert that they'll do a max extension then trade him to Portland for picks/players/TPE? In that case, Hibbert would not be able to officially sign the offer sheet with Portland if that's where he wants to go. It really doesn't sound like Indiana wants to pay the money, so this would allow them to at least get out this with some compensation instead of none. Can this work under the new CBA?

[ROYalty]

What this mean that one other team offered a max deal to Hibbert? We have advantages against them? And is there a verbal aggreement with Hibbert? Or could we have an verbal aggreement with him? Thank you!

[PDXKnight]

I don't see Indiana not matching this. Perhaps this was a move which was meant to take up another team's cap space.

[mojomarc]

I don't see Indiana not matching this. Perhaps this was a move which was meant to take up another team's cap space.

I doubt that was the case. I think this was a "we have shored up our PG position through the draft, we improved our depth at 2 and 5, but we still need a starting C" move. Hibbert would be the second best center in the West after Bynum if you call Duncan a PF.

And while in the end Indiana may match, I really think they wanted to pay him about $11m a year. Like us, they need to add talent in order to be competitive, and like us with Batum they hoped to resign their existing talent at a less-than-ridiculous price.

[FeedSheed30]

I love this move. Hibbert is a top 5 center in the league. Just please stay healthy

[The Sebastian Express]

I don't see Indiana not matching this. Perhaps this was a move which was meant to take up another team's cap space.

I doubt that was the case. I think this was a "we have shored up our PG position through the draft, we improved our depth at 2 and 5, but we still need a starting C" move. Hibbert would be the second best center in the West after Bynum if you call Duncan a PF.

And while in the end Indiana may match, I really think they wanted to pay him about $11m a year. Like us, they need to add talent in order to be competitive, and like us with Batum they hoped to resign their existing talent at a less-than-ridiculous price.

I had heard a rumor that one of the reasons Bird stepped away was because he wasn't sure their owner would commit the money needed to winning. I think I saw it in briefing in one article, not sure how founded it is, but I guess we will see if their owner is willing to pay.

[Shem]

Can someone change the spelling in the thread title to the correct spelling? I'm not usually anal about this, but this is one of those times it's bothering me.

[mojomarc]

Can someone change the spelling in the thread title to the correct spelling? I'm not usually anal about this, but this is one of those times it's bothering me.

Happy?

[Shem]

Can someone change the spelling in the thread title to the correct spelling? I'm not usually anal about this, but this is one of those times it's bothering me.

Happy?

Yes!

[Blazinaway]

I don't see Indiana not matching this. Perhaps this was a move which was meant to take up another team's cap space.

I doubt that was the case. I think this was a "we have shored up our PG position through the draft, we improved our depth at 2 and 5, but we still need a starting C" move. Hibbert would be the second best center in the West after Bynum if you call Duncan a PF.

And while in the end Indiana may match, I really think they wanted to pay him about $11m a year. Like us, they need to add talent in order to be competitive, and like us with Batum they hoped to resign their existing talent at a less-than-ridiculous price.

I had heard a rumor that one of the reasons Bird stepped away was because he wasn't sure their owner would commit the money needed to winning. I think I saw it in briefing in one article, not sure how founded it is, but I guess we will see if their owner is willing to pay.

I'd much rather pay hibbert a 4 yr max which I think starts at 12.9 mil with 4.5% raises then pay Nice close to 12 mil per - was nice knowin U Nic but adios

[Wizenheimer]

If the Pacers don't want to match then Hibbert would gain from a sign-and-trade by getting a 5th year and the Pacers could get the rights to Meyers Leonard in return. The best result for us is the Pacers not matching.

first off, I'm pretty sure that's not how this works

Portland made an offer. If Hibbert signs the offer sheet, Indiana has two options, match or don't match. If they don't match, Hibbert is a Blazer

secondly, when a player is willing to sign with another team, that team is not going to give up much to get the player for an extra year. Usually a 2nd round pick and a TPE is the norm, not giving up the 11th pick in the draft, a player who many think was a steal

[Blazinaway]

One other thing, why would we be offering both Hibbert AND perhaps Asik contracts? do we have a Leonard trade lined up possibly?

[Wizenheimer]

I wonder if there is any chance that Indiana, not wanting to match, decides to tell Hibbert that they'll do a max extension then trade him to Portland for picks/players/TPE? In that case, Hibbert would not be able to officially sign the offer sheet with Portland if that's where he wants to go. It really doesn't sound like Indiana wants to pay the money, so this would allow them to at least get out this with some compensation instead of none. Can this work under the new CBA?

I don't think it could work formally. My reading is that the process is pretty cut & dried...offer > offer sheet > match/don't-match. I think the legal signed offer sheet is actually held by the league office while they act as referee and time-keeper. As soon as Indiana declines to match (or match) it becomes a contract

there may be nothing stopping Indiana and Portland from having dialog though and some kind of agreement is made and later on, Portland sends a 2nd to Indiana for $1.95

[PDXKnight]

Has Hibbert actually signed the offer sheet yet? It's pretty important that if we want him we sign him before the T wolves offer Batum.

[TheRipCityGuru]

no one can sign until the 11th

[ROYalty]

But is there verbal aggreement with Hibbert?

[taufblazers33]

so wait, if we do eventually agree to sign Hibbert to a max contract does that mean we can't re-sign Batum?

[PDXKnight]

so wait, if we do eventually agree to sign Hibbert to a max contract does that mean we can't re-sign Batum?

Its all about timing. If Batum signs before Hibbert we have to either match or let him walk prior to finding out Hibbert's decision. If Nic signs after Hibbert we can go over the cap and sign both players b/c Hibbert will have signed before Batum (In other words, the Blazers need cap space to sign another team's FA for anything more than the MLE, LLE, or minimum whereas to sign Batum we don't need cap space since we own his bird rights).

[a_sensei]

so wait, if we do eventually agree to sign Hibbert to a max contract does that mean we can't re-sign Batum?

If Hibbert signs his offer sheet first Blazers can sign Hibbert than match Batum. If Batum signs his offer sheet first than the Blazers will not have room to match Batum and sign Hibbert.