2014 NBA Playoffs: Indiana Pacers' path
Hold On To Hibbert
On the first day of free agency, both the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers offer Hibbert four-year, $58 million maximum contracts. Hibbert, a restricted free agent, enters into serious talks with the Trail Blazers, as the Pacers squirm on whether to match the offer.
Walsh and Pritchard mull the decision for more than a week and consider their options. Though Hibbert's numbers haven't been dominant -- 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds the previous season -- he has improved significantly since his rookie season, has established himself as a solid rim protector and has proven to be very durable.
Hibbert is on his way to Portland to sign the offer sheet when the Pacers agree to match the offer on July 9, giving him an opt-out clause after the third season. Hibbert, especially after adjusting his defensive strategy to use the new "verticality" rule, becomes a dominant defender and helps lead the Pacers to the conference finals the first season of the extension.
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