Indiana Pacers sign free agents Roy Hibbert and George Hill; Keep the core intact – NBA News
The Indiana Pacers have managed to retain their core which helped them finish with a 42-24 record and clinch the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference, and then go all the way to the Eastern Conference Semi Finals.
The Pacers have officially signed free agents Roy Hibbert and George Hill to ensure that the winning combination is not broken for next season.
"Before the free-agent period started, I met with the press and basically said the biggest priority we have is to keep our own guys, and we are here today to announce that George and Roy signed contracts to be with the Pacers for
quite a while," said Pacers President Donnie Walsh to a cheering crowd at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Hibbert had a career best last season with the Pacers, one in which he was selected in the All Star Game. The 7 ft 1 in big averaged 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, while giving the Pacers a formidable presence
at the centre. Hibbert is one of the most famous Pacers players and had expressed his desire to return to the team at the end of the season.
He was given a max offer by the Portland Trail Blazers. Indiana, however, decided to match the offer and retain Hibbert.
"I was pretty surprised I made the All-Star team. If it happens again, that's great, but I'm more focused on winning, rebounding, blocking shots and being a defensive presence,” said Hibbert.
Hill was traded by the San Antonio Spurs in return for Kawhi Leonard in the summer of 2011, and has quickly become an effective point guard for the Pacers, averaging 9.6 points and 2.9 assists per game last season. He initially
came off the bench but took over the starting point guard position when Darren Collison was sidelined due to injury.
With Collison traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Hill is all set to start next season.
"I'm just happy to be back, to be a part of this Pacer team. I can't wait to get back with my teammates and get things rolling,” said Hill.
The Pacers also signed guard D.J Augustin and forward Gerald Green this offseason. They received centre Ian Mahinmi from the Mavericks in return for Collison, and will look to use him as a back up to Hibbert next season.
It has been a good offseason for the Pacers so far, who were able to re-sign their free agents and keep the core of the team undisturbed. They have also added some players around the core to improve the bench and add scoring options.
They now look towards the next season where they will attempt to go all the way to the NBA Finals.
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