Roy Hibbert rumors: Denver Nuggets interested in Hibbert for JaVale McGee trade?

The Indiana Pacers are reportedly shopping center Roy Hibbert. Although Hibbert really struggled last season and was downright awful in the playoffs, he is a talented big man who can control the paint on defense, which clearly isn’t easy to find.

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Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post wonders if the Denver Nuggets may offer center JaVale McGee to acquire Hibbert.

"The logistics would have to work like this: A straight-up trade wouldn’t work because of the 125-percent-plus-$100,000 rule in the collective bargaining agreement. McGee is scheduled to make $11.25 million next season, while Hibbert is due $14.9 million, meaning the trade would fall something like $800,000 short of being an NBA-compliant deal. So, the Nuggets would have to add to it to make the deal work. And since the Pacers are suddenly in need of a starting-caliber small forward due to the recent unfortunate injury to Paul George, that would be a solid starting place for the Nuggets to add a player – or players – to the deal."

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. McGee was limited to just five games last season, averaging 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field and 100.0% from the free throw line. In his six professional seasons, he’s put up 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 54.1% from the floor and 58.4% from the charity stripe.

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