Pacers Sign Jordan Hill after Trading Roy Hibbert

Pacers Had Their Cake & Ate It Too

In an unexpected move, the Indiana Pacers signed former Lakers center Jordan Hill. It is a strange turn of events for the Indiana Pacers. It was initially reported on July 9th that they would not be acquiring any Lakers players in the trade.

As reported, Indiana completed their trade of Roy Hibbert to Los Angeles for a future second-round pick and cash compensation. No other players were included in the trade. It had been rumored that the Lakers would add a player to the trade but nothing further came of it.

Immediately after announcing Hibbert was officially traded to the Lakers, Sean Deveney of The Sporting news reported that the Pacers agreed to terms with former Lakers starting center. The Laker’s opted not to exercise their team option for Hill in an effort to clear cap space. Officially, the Hibbert trade was a similar salary dump on paper. Hibbert and his $15.5 million are off the books. The Pacers have extra cash, more cap room, a second-round pick …and got Jordan Hill. In essence, Larry Bird in – a stroke of genius – one upped the Lakers by signing Jordan Hill. Instead of a simple sign-and-trade, Bird completed the hat trick by getting the player, the cash and the second round pick.