NBA Rumors: Roy Hibbert Would Be Perfect Fit for Dallas Mavericks
Like many teams in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks would likely love nothing more than to sign stud free agent Deron Williams this offseason and find a way to either trade for Dwight Howard next season or sign him next offseason.
But the likelihood of pulling off that coup remains uncertain, and according to Mike Fisher of DallasBasketball.com, the Mavs have already identified Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers as an excellent second option:
"Dallas has a Plan A, and due to the super-tax, it has a 'Plan Powder-Dry,' too. But spending big beyond Deron [Williams] remains an option. NBA sources tell DB.com that if the Mavs can't get him (and maybe even if they do) a top secondary target will be Pacers RFA center Roy Hibbert.
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I think Hibbert would be a fantastic fit in Dallas. This team obviously missed Tyson Chandler this season, and while Hibbert is still developing, he would have a similar impact to what Chandler gave the Mavs in 2010-11.
| Player | Team | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | BPG |
| Tyson Chandler (2010-11) | Dallas Mavericks | 74 | 27.8 | 10.1 | 9.4 | 1.1 |
| Roy Hibbert (2011-12) | Indiana Pacers | 65 | 29.8 | 12.8 | 8.8 | 2.0 |
Locking down the lane with a defensive presence and strong rebounding center would be just what the doctor ordered. While Hibbert won't come cheap, he's certainly a more affordable option than waiting around on Howard.
If the Pacers don't match the offer sheet presented by the Mavs, that is.
More than likely, the Mavs will still have to throw huge money at Hibbert to keep the Pacers from matching, essentially overpaying for his services. That could make it tricky for the team to secure both him and Williams next year.
But I can't get past how perfect Hibbert would be in the low post for this team, doing the dirty work so Dirk Nowitzki doesn't have to spend too much time banging down on the block.
Hibbert would instantly improve Dallas' team defense as well, as the Mavs could take more chances in man defense knowing that they had an eraser at the basket covering their backs.
So no, Hibbert isn't Howard, and the team's priority in free agency should still be signing Williams. However, if it can pry Hibbert away from the Pacers, it would be a fantastic move for Dallas.
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