NBA Free Agency 2012: 5 Teams That Must Go All-in on Roy Hibbert
Ever since Roy Hibbert entered the league in 2008-09, his numbers have improved on an annual basis. After averaging 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in his rookie season, Hibbert is now a 13 and nine guy, and he is a major part of the Indiana Pacers' success this season.
For this reason, it won't be a surprise to see him test the restricted free-agent market.
If he does, there's no doubt that a plethora of teams will line up to nab the big man, who is now entering his prime. There just aren't that many elite centers in the league, and Hibbert has the potential to become one in the next few years.
Numerous teams would love to have the strength and size Hibbert brings inside the paint. Here are a handful of those teams that will be pursuing his services assuming he tests the market.
Boston Celtics
1 of 5Last season, the Boston Celtics traded away Kendrick Perkins, and as a result, they lost a lot of size down low.
With an aging Kevin Garnett also hitting free agency this summer, the Celtics would love a guy like Hibbert to not only clog the paint defensively but to also work the pick and roll with elite point guard Rajon Rondo.
Hibbert is also a cheaper solution at the center position than Dwight Howard would be. He may never put up Howard-like numbers, but he has strong upside and can really thrive in an offense run by Rondo.
The Celtics' two biggest weaknesses right now are lack of size and old age. By signing Hibbert, they'll be addressing both problems.
Dallas Mavericks
2 of 5Tyson Chandler was a huge reason why the Dallas Mavericks were able to win an NBA title last year. He brought a physical presence down low, and opponents were out-muscled because of him.
Ever since he moved on to New York, the Mavericks have been weaker in the paint and have been taken advantage by teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, who have plenty of size in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
Hibbert will make Dallas a tougher team to play against under the rim, and he'll bring an infusion of youth to an aging team.
Portland Trail Blazers
3 of 5The Greg Oden experiment was a tragic failure for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Now, they're left without a center and with more questions than answers.
If Roy Hibbert is available, there's no doubt that Portland will throw all its cash at him in order to sign him. Hibbert and LaMarcus Aldridge will form one of the best frontcourts in the NBA, and they will instantly turn the Blazers into a playoff team once again.
Denver Nuggets
4 of 5Roy Hibbert would be an ideal candidate for the post-Carmelo youth movement in Denver. The Nuggets need a center (I mean, come on—JaVale McGee can only do so much), and Hibbert could be the answer to their prayers.
They have some solid young pieces up front with guys like Kenneth Faried and an electric point guard in Ty Lawson. Just imagine how dynamic the Lawson-Hibbert duo would become in the Mile High City.
The move would make the Nuggets a dangerous team out west and would perhaps help them land a top four seed in the conference.
Houston Rockets
5 of 5Yao Ming's retirement left a gaping hole in the middle for the Houston Rockets.
There's no doubt that Houston would love to have Roy Hibbert's durability on its team. He has missed very little time due to injury throughout his career, which is a 180-degree turnaround of what the Rockets got from Ming.
The Rockets have two first-round draft picks this year, too. Shrewd drafting, along with the addition of Hibbert, could propel them to become a contender in the Southwest Division.
