Indiana Pacers: Latest Trade Rumors, Free Agent News, Draft Buzz

The Indiana Pacers made significant strides in 2011-12, finishing with the Eastern Conference's third-best record and pushing the Miami Heat to six games in the second round of the playoffs. 

So, what will happen next? 

Here we break down all of the latest buzz and rumors surrounding the Indiana Pacers as they head into the offseason. 

Indiana in Talks with Craig Smith

The Indiana Pacers are a team on the verge of elite status. The key for their making the leap will be adding depth at each position and adding the necessary athleticism to compete with their Eastern Conference counterparts.

Per a report via Chris Haynes of CSNW.com, the Pacers intend to do just that. The target of their desires happens to be 28-year-old forward Craig Smith.

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CSNNW has learned that former #Blazers F Craig Smith (The Rhino) is in preliminary talks with the Indiana Pacers. Nothing imminent.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 31, 2012"

Craig Smith averaged 10.1 points per game in 19.7 minutes of playing time during the 2009 but has since seen a decline in production. Indiana, however, could provide the crafty scorer the necessary opportunity for his turnaround season.

Don't forget to note that Smith has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in each of his six seasons in the NBA.

Carlos Delfino on Pacers' Radar

On the heels of a magnificent performance against the United States in an exhibition game, Argentinian forward Carlos Delfino has begun to generate some buzz. Rightfully so, as Delfino has made a living behind the arc and always seems to make the smart play when it's needed.

As for who is interested, Olé reports that the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns have emerged as potential suitors. Houston, however, is the only team who has made an offer thus far (via RotoWorld.com).

Unfortunately for the Rockets, Delfino does not appear interested in a rebuilding process. More on this story as details emerge.

Report via B/R's Free Agent Tracker

Roy Hibbert Re-Signs

Per a report via ESPN.com, the Indiana Pacers have locked up their All-Star center. While the terms are said to be undisclosed, the Pacers matched a four year, $58 million contract sent Hibbert's way via the Portland Trail Blazers.

This comes on the heels of a career year for Hibbert in which he averaged 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. This led to Hibbert's first All-Star appearance and the Pacers making their first Eastern Conference Semi-Finals appearance since 2005.

Hibbert will play the role of anchor in the Pacers' Top 10 scoring defense.

Pacers Sign Gerald Green

Per a report via Jeff Tzucker of the NBA.com, the Indiana Pacers have signed athletic wing Gerald Green. Green is coming off of a breakout season in which he averaged 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game in 25.2 minutes of action per contest.

Gerald Green made headlines in 2012 when he threw down the dunk of the year. For the diehards out there, however, Green is better known for winning MVP at the D-League All-Star Game.

As general manager Kevin Pritchard states, the Pacers will benefit greatly from this infusion of well-rounded play.

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"We’ve watched Gerald and we saw how he improved last year," said Kevin Pritchard, Pacers General Manager. "His scoring off the bench should help us in the future. He’s one of the most dynamic athletes I’ve seen, and how he’s improved will make him a great addition to the Pacers family."

"

At 26, Green remains a player with star potential due to his supreme athleticism and well-rounded skill set. At worst, however, Indiana just acquired a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

D.J. Augustin Agrees to One-Year Deal

Per a report via Mike Wells of The Indianapolis Star, the Indiana Pacers have moved quickly to replace Darren Collison. The lucky signing is an ex-Charlotte Bobcat.

D.J. Augustin is an excellent game manager with excellent ball handling skills. He's a better facilitator than either of the Pacers' point guards of a year ago, which makes this exciting news for a player such as David West:

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Pacers have agreed to a 1 year deal with DJ Augustin, according to a source.

— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) July 12, 2012"

Pacers Re-Sign George Hill

Per a report via Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star, point guard George Hill has re-signed with the Indiana Pacers. While the Pacers' team policy states that they cannot disclose the terms of the deal, Wells reports that the contract will lock Hill up for the next five years.

While the length may come as a surprise, the Pacers decision to re-sign Hill should not. His energy and playmaking ability played a key role in Indiana's run through the potseason.

Expect Hill to start and produce big for the upstart Pacers.

Pacers Trade Collison, Jones for Mahinmi

With the Indiana Pacers entering free agency uncertainty at the point and a lack of size in the paint, many expected Frank Vogel's bunch to make a serious run at some top names.

While that has not occurred, the Pacers have made headlines with a rather shocking trade.

This report was also confirmed by Marc Stein of ESPN.com:

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Multiple reports say the Indiana Pacers will trade guards Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones to the Dallas Mavericks for center Ian Mahinmi.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 12, 2012"

The deal may seem one-sided for the Dallas Mavericks but Ian Mahinmi is a valuable player to have. He offers the big body that the Pacers lacked coming off of the bench and has displayed flashes of brilliance in his four years in the league.

This trade also opens the door for George Hill to take over as the permanent starting point guard.

Blazers After Hibbert, Pacers Match Deal

On the first day of free agency, the Portland Trail Blazers made waves with a four year $58 million offer to All-Star big man Roy Hibbert. After over a week of speculation, the expected result has occurred.

According to Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star, the Indiana Pacers have matched the mega deal.

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The Pacers are matching Portland's 4-year, $58 million offer to Roy Hibbert, according to a source

— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) July 9, 2012"

This was a no-brainer for the Pacers, whose top tier defense would be shattered by the loss of their centerpiece. Expect Hibbert to thrive upon the signing of a new superstar contract.

Larry Bird Resigns from Pacers' Front Office

Update: Wednesday, June 27th -- Joel C. Cordes

Larry Bird re-signed from the Indiana Pacers, citing health and a desire to "move on" according to ESPN.com.

General Manager David Morway also stepped down as the organization apparently looks for "new voices", despite the fact that Bird and Morway directed a renaissance for Pacers basketball during the past few seasons.

- End of Update - 

This past season's NBA Executive of the Year, Larry Bird, hopes to be back with the Indiana Pacers next season, according to a CBSSports.com report. 

Bird took over as the team's president for Donnie Walsh in 2008, and has since turned the Pacers into a playoff contender by building through the draft. 

If owner Herb Simon can agree on the direction of the team, then the three-time NBA champion should be back in the Pacers' front office. 

Who Will the Starting Point Guard Be in 2012-13?

George Hill, 26, and Darren Collison, 24, played mighty roles for the Indiana Pacers this past season, combining for 20 points and 7.7 assists per game at the point guard position. 

Head coach Frank Vogel expressed his desire for the club to resign Hill and for both of his young floor generals to work hard and compete for the starting role this summer to the Indianapolis Star:

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I'm hoping that we have them both back; that they both strive to get better in the offseason and I have a very difficult decision to make next year. That's what I hope.

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Collison started 56 games for the Pacers during the regular season, while Hill started all 11 playoff games for Indiana this past postseason. 

Based on Vogel's confidence in the slightly older Hill and his big minutes in the Pacers' two playoff series, he should be the favorite to start next season over Collison. 

Will the Pacers Re-Sign Role Players?

Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has made it clear to the Indianapolis Star that he would prefer management to keep the current roster together for next season. 

In addition to George Hill and Roy Hibbert, however, role players Leandro Barbosa and Louis Amundson will have their contracts with Indiana expire this summer; both are unrestricted free agents.

Barbosa played 22 games with the Pacers after being traded from the Toronto Raptors midseason, averaging nine points per game for Indiana on 42.4 percent three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Amundson averaged nearly four blocks per game in less than 13 minutes of floor time. 

Both players are 29 and will no doubt draw interest from other clubs if the Pacers aren't willing to pay up. 

Eric Gordon Likely Won't Be a Pacer Next Season

Free agent shooting guard Eric Gordon won't be returning home to Indiana to join the Pacers this offseason, as the Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells reports via Twitter:

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U can cross Eric Gordon off the Pacers' wish list. Bird said they don't go after restricted free agents because that's not Simon's style.

— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) May 30, 2012"

The 23-year-old Indianapolis native averaged 20 points per game last season for the New Orleans Hornets and played college basketball at Indiana. Gordon is regarded as one of the best free agent scorers available this offseason, but it seems the Pacers will have to look elsewhere for free-agent firepower. 

Everything Quiet on the Pacers' Trade Front

There aren't many trade rumors involving the Indiana Pacers flying around, and for good reason, Indiana has a rare balance of young and old on its roster. No player is older than 31 (David West and Dahntay Jones), and no player is younger than 22 (Paul George).

There aren't many needs for the Pacers, who were two games away from the Eastern Conference finals in 2012, but rather Indiana could use another offseason of gelling, chemistry-building and improving. 

Six players averaged double-digit scoring figures for the Pacers last season, and four players averaged at least five rebounds per game. 

The current Pacers roster is the definition of a team, and it would take only an offseason trade to mess that up. 

How Much Money Will Indiana Throw at Roy Hibbert?

Dependable centers are tough to come by in the NBA, and Roy Hibbert is just that. 

The 25-year-old, 7'2" center stepped up his game noticeably in the 2012 playoffs, averaging a double-double and shooting 50 percent from the floor. 

Hibbert played in 65 regular season games for the Pacers this past season and averaged nearly 13 points and nine rebounds per game. He has a qualifying offer worth $3.6 million next season, but he is a restricted free agent nonetheless.

Based on Hibbert's strong play and continued improvement, one would have to expect that the Pacers will make him an even wealthier man this offseason. 

Will Brian Shaw Come Back to Assist Coaching Staff?

Pacers head coach Frank Vogel had nothing but praise for associate head coach Brian Shaw this past season. Vogel told the Indianapolis Star that Shaw has "no weaknesses" and even predicted "he's going to be one of the top five coaches in the NBA for the next 10 years."

Shaw has never been an NBA head coach; he was an assistant with the LA Lakers from 2004 to 2011 before climbing on board with Indiana last year. 

According to Pacers beat writer Mike Wells, Portland, Charlotte and Orlando are all interested in Shaw for their vacant head coaching positions. 

Possible 2012 NBA Draft Directions

The Pacers will pick just once in the 2012 NBA Draft this June. Indiana owns the No. 26 pick in the draft, and will look to build on a solid core with the selection if they don't decide to trade it. 

ESPN's Chad Ford has Indiana selecting Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague in the late first-round in his most recent 2012 NBA Mock Draft. This pick makes little sense for Indiana though, if they do indeed re-sign George Hill. Three point guards competing for one starting spot is counterproductive.

Instead, the Pacers might be wise to target an all-around playmaker like Michigan State's Draymond Green or a knock-down shooter like Kentucky's Doron Lamb, who will likely both be available at No. 26. 

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the upcoming NBA offseason.