NBA Rumors: Pacers Smart to Match Roy Hibbert's Offer Sheet
Roy Hibbert is worth it.
It, of course, refers to the offer sheet the Portland Trail Blazers offered the big man, which is worth $59 million over four years. A steep price, sure, but 7'2" centers with impressive skill sets don't come around all that often.
That's why the Indiana Pacers deciding to match the offer for their restricted free agent (according to the Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells) is absolutely, unequivocally, the right move.
"The Pacers are matching Portland's 4-year, $58 million offer to Roy Hibbert, according to a source
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) July 9, 2012"
I can see it now. "$59 million for a player who averaged 13 and 9? That's outrageous! The Pacers are outrageous! Everything is outrageous!!!!"
Again, the price for Hibbert is undoubtedly high, I get that, but that's unfortunately what happens when the supply of true quality centers decreases. They can demand more. I think that's economics or something.
Omer Asik, who is an elite rebounder and defender but can't score worth a lick, got an offer of $25 million for three years, so yeah, I'd say Hibbert deserves 59 for four.
While Hibber's overall stats aren't sexy, there are many underlying factors that make him worth it.
After Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum, the amount of true quality centers in the league is limited, and Hibbert is well on his way to establishing himself at the top of the second tier.
Hibbert, who was selected to his first All-Star game in 2012, is an all-around talent.
He's efficient on the offensive end, as evidenced by his 50 percent shooting from the field and 71 percent shooting from the line. He has good hands and a soft touch around the basket, allowing him to score in a variety of ways. He's second to none at defending the basket on the defensive. He has good vision and passing skills for a big man.
And again, he's freaking seven-foot-two.
Hibbert has improved his game each of the past three seasons, and it wouldn't be surprising if the 25-year-old continued to get better as he enters his prime.
What's more, he avoids injury incredibly well, especially for a big man. Throughout his last three seasons, Hibbert has missed just three total games. Three.
When you can get a guy who scores, rebounds, defends, has a high-basketball IQ, is still on the way up and, most importantly, plays a position that is scarce of talent in the NBA, you find a way to get him.
Even if that way is giving him a lot of money.
