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Indiana Pacers rumors: Pacers likely to keep Roy Hibbert?

By Andrew Melnick

May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) reacts during a timeout against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) reacts during a timeout against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Friday night, the Indiana Pacers and forward Paul George were dealt a devastating blow. George came down on his leg during Team USA’ scrimmage in Las Vegas and suffered a  lower right leg fracture, which has since been diagnosed as an open tibia-fibula fracture. He has already had surgery on the leg and he will likely miss the entire 2014-2015 season.

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Couple that with the loss of guard Lance Stephenson to the Charlotte Hornets and it has led to speculation the Pacers could try trade both power forward David West and center Roy Hibbert.

In fact last month it was reported the Pacers were “quietly shopping” Hibbert and prefer to send him to the Western Conference. However, Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders doesn’t believe the Pacers would get enough for Hibbert in a trade and they’d be better off keeping him for at least one more season.

"That is not an exhaustive list and we need to move on to other questions, but those are the types of trades that are out there. Hibbert likely will play better offensively, and defensively he was still awesome last year, especially in the first half. The Pacers won’t get much for Hibbert considering his contract situation, so better to hold onto him and see if he rebounds this year."

Last season, Hibbert averaged 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 43.9% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc and 77.0% from the free throw line. Over his career, he’s put up 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 assists per game while shooting 4.7% from the floor, 30.0% from three and 73.7% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.

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