The Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly talked about a swap involving All-Star center Roy Hibbert and rim protector Larry Sanders, a league source disclosed on Friday.
According to a Milwaukee sports site Racine Journal Times, the Bucks reportedly tried to deal Sanders to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez in the days leading up to the 2014 NBA Draft.
Aside from the Sanders-Lopez trade, the Bucks also talked with the Pacers about swapping Sanders and Hibbert, who both possess almost identical contracts.
"I was told by an NBA official that the Bucks also had discussions with Indiana and were interested in acquiring veteran Pacers center Roy Hibbert, who hasn't performed up to his lofty contract," according to the Racine Journal Times.
"Hibbert's contract calls for him to earn $14.89 million next season. He then has a player-option the following season for $15.51M."
Hibbert on The Move
The Pacers are reportedly angling to part ways with Hibbert, who played like an All-Star in the first half of the 2013-14 season before his play collapsed in the second half and into the postseason.
In a report by Sporting News, the Pacers have been making small yet significant moves in their attempt to get rid of their starting center.
There are even reports about the Pacers' negotiation with several Western Conference teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz.
"After a flurry of rumors dating back a little more than a month, there has not been much to speak of when it comes to the possibility of Indiana moving center Roy Hibbert in a trade. But, according to multiple front-office sources, the Pacers have quietly sought out possible new landing spots for their enigmatic big man," via Sporting News.
"They're open to making major changes, if they're there," one general manager told Sporting News. "I think they'd be disappointed to see that same core group back intact, so it is a matter of, how drastic can the changes they make be? Moving Hibbert for multiple pieces would be a pretty drastic change, but they're asking."
Hibbert for Sanders
Given the startling similarity in their contract, a Hibbert for Sanders swap appears to be win-win move not only for the players but for the team as well.
Hibbert is obviously looking for a fresh environment after going through unimaginable amount of criticism he dealt with last season, while Sanders is trying to play for a contender after spending his first four seasons for a bad team.
With this latest bit of information, it won't be surprising the Pacers and the Bucks reviving their trade talk to finally work out the Hibbert-for-Sanders swap.
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