Tyler Hansbrough May Want to Leave Indiana Pacers

May 28, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers power forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) with a tap in against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana won 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Hansbrough has played a critical role with the Indiana Pacers in what has been a surprising couple of years for the franchise, but Hansbrough may have his hear set on leaving the team in NBA free agency.

It sounds like Hansbrough wants to be a starter, and with the Pacers he will have to continue coming off the bench behind David West. ESPN 107.5 suggests Hanbrough is headed elsewhere because he believes he is worhty of a starting role:

"The Pacers made a qualifying offer on Tyler Hansbrough to keep their options open – they can re-sign him, trade him or ultimately pull the non-binding offer to allow him to sign elsewhere – but it doesn’t appear his future is in Indiana. He wants to start, there is absolutely no chance of that here, and so it’s time to move on."

Hansbrough averaged seven points per game last season to go along with 4.6 rebounds during his time as a role player. How he responds to a full load, and if any team in the NBA thinks he is worthy of that, has yet to be determined.

It’s a tough loss for the Pacers, a team looking to keep as much quality depth as possible to make another push. The team can match any offer Hansbrough receives, but how valuable is a disgruntled backup in the long run?

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