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

[d-train]

Canzano interviewed another writer from Indy on his show. The writer, Bob Kravitz (no relation), said he talked to Donnie Walsh today and after the conversation, he came away with the feeling that he's "80%-90% sure that the Pacers will match the offer."

So that definitely doesn't make it sound good, although not entirely surprising.

Sounds like Donnie didn't answer the question. It's funny how Clownzano and Kravitz would make it known to everyone how easy it is to satisfy a simpleton.

Can you imagine if everyone was that dumb? Bill Clinton could have got away with saying I’m 80-90% sure I didn’t have relations with that girl and he wouldn’t need to lie.

[Wizenheimer]

Canzano interviewed another writer from Indy on his show. The writer, Bob Kravitz (no relation), said he talked to Donnie Walsh today and after the conversation, he came away with the feeling that he's "80%-90% sure that the Pacers will match the offer."

So that definitely doesn't make it sound good, although not entirely surprising.

I think there was always an excellent chance Indiana would match

keep in mind, they may be competing with Portland for other FA targets. So if they can create any indecision in the Blazer front office about what's going to happen with Hibbert, the Pacers might gain an advantage elsewhere...then simply match at the last minute

my first thought when I heard about Portland meeting with Hibbert was "well, that means portland won't get much done this summer". I still have that thought: Indiana will match and the Blazers will do little else except likely match Batum's deal. And I'm still not convinced Minny is going to give Batum the number Haynes reported. We'll see pretty soon I imagine

[DaVoiceMaster]

We know what Plan B is for the Pacers apparently. We haven't heard what Plan B is for the Blazers though. Any thoughts?

[Wizenheimer]

We know what Plan B is for the Pacers apparently. We haven't heard what Plan B is for the Blazers though. Any thoughts?

re-sign Batum and land Billups on a 2 year deal would be my thoughts.

I don't know what they will do for bigs. Going after Hibbert is putting all their eggs in one basket, and that could bite them. By the time Indiana matches all the other bigs could have landed elsewhere

[DusterBuster]

We know what Plan B is for the Pacers apparently. We haven't heard what Plan B is for the Blazers though. Any thoughts?

re-sign Batum and land Billups on a 2 year deal would be my thoughts.

I don't know what they will do for bigs. Going after Hibbert is putting all their eggs in one basket, and that could bite them. By the time Indiana matches all the other bigs could have landed elsewhere

Is that really such a bad thing? Considering how much money bigmen are getting, do you want the Blazers investing 10+ mil in the likes of Hawes or Kaman. I sure as hell don't.

I think, or at least hope, Olshey is going for a "go big or go home" plan of attack for this summer. Go for the best players you can get, if you can't get them, don't just spend money on the 'leftovers'. Save your money, accept the fact that it'll probably be a up and down season that will likely end with another trip to the lottery and try again next summer.

[Blazinaway]

We know what Plan B is for the Pacers apparently. We haven't heard what Plan B is for the Blazers though. Any thoughts?

re-sign Batum and land Billups on a 2 year deal would be my thoughts.

I don't know what they will do for bigs. Going after Hibbert is putting all their eggs in one basket, and that could bite them. By the time Indiana matches all the other bigs could have landed elsewhere

Is that really such a bad thing? Considering how much money bigmen are getting, do you want the Blazers investing 10+ mil in the likes of Hawes or Kaman. I sure as hell don't.

I think, or at least hope, Olshey is going for a "go big or go home" plan of attack for this summer. Go for the best players you can get, if you can't get them, don't just spend money on the 'leftovers'. Save your money, accept the fact that it'll probably be a up and down season that will likely end with another trip to the lottery and try again next summer.

I like his plan, swing for the fences, if you connect you can be competetive right away. If not you gave it a well thought out shot and now it's back to a slower rebuild. Perhaps capspace this trade deadline or next summer helps us lanf a good player. Well thought out and played IMO

[The Sebastian Express]

Is that really such a bad thing? Considering how much money bigmen are getting, do you want the Blazers investing 10+ mil in the likes of Hawes or Kaman. I sure as hell don't.

I think, or at least hope, Olshey is going for a "go big or go home" plan of attack for this summer. Go for the best players you can get, if you can't get them, don't just spend money on the 'leftovers'. Save your money, accept the fact that it'll probably be a up and down season that will likely end with another trip to the lottery and try again next summer.

I like his plan, swing for the fences, if you connect you can be competetive right away. If not you gave it a well thought out shot and now it's back to a slower rebuild. Perhaps capspace this trade deadline or next summer helps us lanf a good player. Well thought out and played IMO

Agreed to both.

[d-train]

Don't forget amnesty waivers might yield a nugget for teams with cap space.

[DusterBuster]

Just as I gave the Blazers credit for hopefully being able to not blow their money on a sub-par C if Hibbert falls through, now word has come out that the Blazers have shown some interest in Spencer Hawes as a 'Plan B'.

Jason Quick: Agent Greg Lawrence says Blazers have shown interest in unrestricted free agent Spencer Hawes

Hawes figures to be Blazers' Plan B if Indiana matches Hibbert deal. Philly likes Hawes, but is also trying to re-sign Lou Williams

[Billy]

Hopefully "showing interest" extends as far as "3 years 12 million". Sorry, I know Hawes isn't horrible, but if you're going to spend the money on a guy like that you HAVE to spend it wisely.

[d-train]

Quick isn't too bright, but at least the Sixers are smart enough to put a higher priority on signing Lou Williams than Hawes.

[LOOSH]

Hawes is solid, would be a nice addition at the right price.

[deanwoof]

he's as solid as my last bowel movement.

[mojomarc]

Hawes is solid, would be a nice addition at the right price.

Right price being less than $8m a year ideally

[scooterhd]

if you dont use cap now, you will lose most of it once Batum resigns. so, theres not much waiting till next year.

[DusterBuster]

if you dont use cap now, you will lose most of it once Batum resigns. so, theres not much waiting till next year.

That's not totally true. For one, you're assuming the Blazers don't let Batum walk if he gets an asinine amount of money. Secondly, the Blazers will have some cap space to make unbalanced trades if they do match Batum. Having flexibility like that is nothing to sneeze at.

Secondly, I hate thinking like that. The whole "we got cap space burning our pockets, so we gotta use it" mentality is the kind of thinking that keeps franchise marred in mediocrity for decades. Just look at a team like the Bucks. It's not the end-all/be-all of what makes a team good or bad, but it generally is never a good way to go about constructing a team. Having money isn't an excuse for spending it unwisely.

[The Sebastian Express]

Portland could also have additional cap space next summer by declining the options on Nolan Smith and Luke Babbitt, as well as dealing Wesley Matthews (reasonable contract, under 7 million, two years left).

[DusterBuster]

Portland could also have additional cap space next summer by declining the options on Nolan Smith and Luke Babbitt, as well as dealing Wesley Matthews (reasonable contract, under 7 million, two years left).

BTW, on Matthews contract, because of some stipulation in his deal, the actual cost to the owner for his contract is less than what his cap hit is. That will be attractive to cheap owners who aren't angling for cap space in the near future.

[The Sebastian Express]

Portland could also have additional cap space next summer by declining the options on Nolan Smith and Luke Babbitt, as well as dealing Wesley Matthews (reasonable contract, under 7 million, two years left).

BTW, on Matthews contract, because of some stipulation in his deal, the actual cost to the owner for his contract is less than what his cap hit is. That will be attractive to cheap owners who aren't angling for cap space in the near future.

I believe it is from the 10 million dollars Portland had to pay up front and I think it may have the Zach Randolph provision - where the money paid by the owner is half of the cap hit but spread out over the years for a player's financial sustainability.

I think Paul is still technically paying Zach money from his previous deal.

Edit: Oh, no, I guess he would have stopped two years after Portland traded him.

Edit2: What I mean from half the cap hit is Player A's Cap Hit is : 12 million, but the owner only pays them 6 million that year - like if their deal was 6 years, 120 million instead of paying an average of 20 per year they'd pay 10 a year for 12 years.

[King d]

Chad Ford: 51% Chance That Pacers Match Blazers Offer To Roy Hibbert