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08:11 AM ET 05.18 | Roy Hibbert admits he may have slipped in the draft because he stuck around for four seasons of college ball, but he's getting the last laugh now. With all of that in mind, when free agency comes around this summer, Hibbert hardly will get the same treatment he got on draft night. As a restricted free agent, he's expected to command a contract that could be in the range of the maximum. ... [Hibbert] sure sounds as if he wants to return to Indiana. But even if another team throws down a huge offer sheet, the Pacers would have the option to match it. "I love Indiana," Hibbert said when asked about his free agency. "They took a chance on me when they traded Jermaine O'Neal and a couple of other guys to get me with the 17th pick."

Roy Hibbert, Getty Images

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May 18, 2012 09:01 AM ET

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Will They Show You The Money, Bro?

I Love LA

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May 18, 2012 09:16 AM ET

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Both Roy and his game have matured very nicely.

THE BISHOP!

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May 18, 2012 09:29 AM ET

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Jack they will show him the money. Supply and demand and the demand is high for an above average center compared to the state of the other centers. Is he worthy of a max deal I say no but that is my own definition of what should be a max player. A max player should be capable of putting the team on their back to take their team far in the playoffs a go to player, sell memorability and put people in the stands, etc. He probably will get close to it. All the teams that are stuck at average or below were stuck overpaying somebody with a max contract or two.

Gatorade or Haterade

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May 18, 2012 11:20 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:55 AM ET 05.18 by jgb

For a center that is PRODUCTIVE......
IMO - you pay whatever it takes to keep him as it is the hardest position to find
Smart business is they let him test the waters then match whatever he is offered- don't overpay if you dont' 'have' to...but some team will offer a big contract

Yep... I would offer this guy a big contrac.

Otis B. Driftwood

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May 18, 2012 12:27 PM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:55 AM ET 05.18 by jgb

For a center that is PRODUCTIVE......IMO - you pay whatever it takes to keep him as it is the hardest position to findSmart business is they let him test the waters then match whatever he is offered- don't overpay if you dont' 'have' to...but some team will offer a big contract

Yeah right now the center position is down. I think in the end he will get a max type of deal because how much the Pacers are below the cap right now and the demand of the position has raised the price of centers overall. I think they will do exactly what you mentioned and match any offer.

Gatorade or Haterade

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May 18, 2012 05:06 PM ET

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Yeah the Pacers have a nice squad it is real clear why Bird won the best executive of the year. He is getting the most out of money spent trades made, free agents signed etc. The biggest deal was getting David West when I thought he would sign with the Celtics.

Gatorade or Haterade

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May 18, 2012 06:32 PM ET

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Bird is one of a kind. Not too many guys that you can say were a great player AND a great coach AND a great exec but he's proven to be that guy. Smart, smart, guy.