After narrowly missing the playoffs, the Indiana Pacers appear poised for major change headed into the offseason. At exit interviews on Friday, head coach Frank Vogel said center Roy Hibbert may be one of the moving parts.
Pacers say Roy Hibbert’s role will be ‘diminished’ next year
If Hibbert decides to opt in and return to Indiana, he may no longer be a starter, according to both team president Larry Bird and coach Frank Vogel.
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Vogel and team president Larry Bird both want the Pacers to play smaller and faster, following the trend most NBA teams have been headed towards in recent years. Hibbert has a $15.5 million player option this offseason. If he stays, Vogel said he would “possibly” be benched and his “role would be diminished,” according to the Indy Star’s Candace Buckner.
When asked whether he thinks Hibbert will opt in, Vogel said he didn’t know. Bird said the Pacers are assuming the 7’2 center will opt into the contract.
This season, Hibbert played the fewest minutes since his sophomore year in the league, averaging 11 points and seven rebounds. His field goal shooting fell to 45 percent, a painful number for a center working primarily around the basket.
With a healthy Paul George hopefully returning next year, the Pacers are looking to reestablish themselves as a contender in the East. They may do that without Hibbert.
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