Report: Hibbert picks up $15.5M player option for 2015-16; Pacers looking to trade him
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Roy Hibbert is taking the guaranteed dollars. The Indiana Pacers are looking to move on without him.
Hibbert has opted in to his player option for 2015-16, which will see him earn $15.5 million next season, Grantland's Zach Lowe reports. However, Marc Stein of ESPN believes the Pacers will try to move Hibbert.
The Pacers made their intentions clear by drafting center Myles Turner with the 11th pick on Thursday, a potential replacement for the future.
Hibbert remains an elite rim protector - opponents shot 42.6 percent around the basket with Hibbert guarding it last season - a strong shot blocker, and excellent at using the principle of verticality to his advantage. He can also score around the basket, although he's not exactly a go-to scorer.
But he's often slow making rotations extending out to the 3-point line. With the league trending towards spacing and perimeter play, Hibbert's effectiveness is dictated by matchups, which makes his pricey salary a problem.
Last season, the 28-year-old averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game. He will become a free agent in 2016-17.