The Indiana Pacers are currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings. And if things do not improve, recent rumors indicated that the Pacers will enter into trades before the deadline on Feb. 19.
Among the players mentioned in recent trade chatters are All-Star center Roy Hibbert and veteran forward David West, who have been drawing the interest of several teams over the past several weeks.
The Pacers are reportedly considering trading both players in order to clear cap space as Hibbert is set to earn $14.9 million this year and $15.5 million next season, while West will get $12 million this season and $12.6 million in the final year of his contract next season.
Hibbert, who is averaging 11.2 points to go along with 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game this season, was previously linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the Cavs have already acquired the rim protector that they were looking for before after acquiring Timofey Mozgov from the Denver Nuggets.
On the other hand, the Toronto Raptors, one of the playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference, are reportedly interested in acquiring West, who is averaging 12.8 points to go along with 6.9 rebounds per game this season.
Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird told ESPN that the Pacers have no plan to surrender their hopes of making it into the playoffs this season, reiterating the team will always be in a win-now mode. However, Bird admitted that the team will be open to trades, especially if the deal will improve their chances moving forward.
But for Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, he wants to keep both Hibbert and West along with George Hill, who is also being mentioned in several trade rumors. He said that there are talks that Hibbert and West are playing their final season in Indiana, but Vogel expressed confidence that both players will stay.
"I like the group that we have and I would love to come back with West, Hibbert, George Hill at the one, fill in a couple of spots and make another run at it," Vogel said. "Obviously, Roy and David have player options, but I'm pretty confident they'll be back."
Vogel and the Pacers are also awaiting the return of superstar forward Paul George, who is reportedly considering returning next month after responding well to treatment.
George, who averaged 21.7 points to go along with 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game last season, sustained a gruesome leg injury last summer in a USA Basketball scrimmage.
