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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Indiana Pacers: Latest Trade Rumors, Free Agent News, Draft Buzz - Bleacher Report

The Indiana Pacers made significant strides in 2011-12, finishing with the Eastern Conference's third-best record and pushing the Miami Heat to six games in the second round of the playoffs. 

So, what will happen next? 

Here we break down all of the latest buzz and rumors surrounding the Indiana Pacers as they head into the offseason. 

Who Will the Starting Point Guard Be in 2012-13?

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Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

George Hill, 26, and Darren Collison, 24, played mighty roles for the Indiana Pacers this past season, combining for 20 points and 7.7 assists per game at the point guard position. 

Head coach Frank Vogel expressed his desire for the club to resign Hill and for both of his young floor generals to work hard and compete for the starting role this summer to the Indianapolis Star:

I'm hoping that we have them both back; that they both strive to get better in the offseason and I have a very difficult decision to make next year. That's what I hope.

Collison started 56 games for the Pacers during the regular season, while Hill started all 11 playoff games for Indiana this past postseason. 

Based on Vogel's confidence in the slightly older Hill and his big minutes in the Pacers' two playoff series, he should be the favorite to start next season over Collison. 

Larry Bird to Return to Pacers' Front Office?

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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

This past season's NBA Executive of the Year, Larry Bird, hopes to be back with the Indiana Pacers next season, according to a CBSSports.com report. 

Bird took over as the team's president for Donnie Walsh in 2008, and has since turned the Pacers into a playoff contender by building through the draft. 

If owner Herb Simon can agree on the direction of the team, then the three-time NBA champion should be back in the Pacers' front office. 

Will the Pacers Re-Sign Role Players?

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Chris Chambers/Getty Images

Pacers head coach Frank Vogel has made it clear to the Indianapolis Star that he would prefer management to keep the current roster together for next season. 

In addition to George Hill and Roy Hibbert, however, role players Leandro Barbosa and Louis Amundson will have their contracts with Indiana expire this summer; both are unrestricted free agents.

Barbosa played 22 games with the Pacers after being traded from the Toronto Raptors midseason, averaging nine points per game for Indiana on 42.4 percent three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Amundson averaged nearly four blocks per game in less than 13 minutes of floor time. 

Both players are 29 and will no doubt draw interest from other clubs if the Pacers aren't willing to pay up. 

Eric Gordon Likely Won't Be a Pacer Next Season

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Free agent shooting guard Eric Gordon won't be returning home to Indiana to join the Pacers this offseason, as the Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells reports via Twitter:

The 23-year-old Indianapolis native averaged 20 points per game last season for the New Orleans Hornets and played college basketball at Indiana. Gordon is regarded as one of the best free agent scorers available this offseason, but it seems the Pacers will have to look elsewhere for free-agent firepower. 

Everything Quiet on the Pacers' Trade Front

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Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

There aren't many trade rumors involving the Indiana Pacers flying around, and for good reason, Indiana has a rare balance of young and old on its roster. No player is older than 31 (David West and Dahntay Jones), and no player is younger than 22 (Paul George).

There aren't many needs for the Pacers, who were two games away from the Eastern Conference finals in 2012, but rather Indiana could use another offseason of gelling, chemistry-building and improving. 

Six players averaged double-digit scoring figures for the Pacers last season, and four players averaged at least five rebounds per game. 

The current Pacers roster is the definition of a team, and it would take only an offseason trade to mess that up. 

How Much Money Will Indiana Throw at Roy Hibbert?

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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Dependable centers are tough to come by in the NBA, and Roy Hibbert is just that. 

The 25-year-old, 7'2" center stepped up his game noticeably in the 2012 playoffs, averaging a double-double and shooting 50 percent from the floor. 

Hibbert played in 65 regular season games for the Pacers this past season and averaged nearly 13 points and nine rebounds per game. He has a qualifying offer worth $3.6 million next season, but he is a restricted free agent nonetheless.

Based on Hibbert's strong play and continued improvement, one would have to expect that the Pacers will make him an even wealthier man this offseason. 

Will Brian Shaw Come Back to Assist Coaching Staff?

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John Sciulli/Getty Images

Pacers head coach Frank Vogel had nothing but praise for associate head coach Brian Shaw this past season. Vogel told the Indianapolis Star that Shaw has "no weaknesses" and even predicted "he's going to be one of the top five coaches in the NBA for the next 10 years."

Shaw has never been an NBA head coach; he was an assistant with the LA Lakers from 2004 to 2011 before climbing on board with Indiana last year. 

According to Pacers beat writer Mike Wells, Portland, Charlotte and Orlando are all interested in Shaw for their vacant head coaching positions. 

Possible 2012 NBA Draft Directions

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Rob Carr/Getty Images

The Pacers will pick just once in the 2012 NBA Draft this June. Indiana owns the No. 26 pick in the draft, and will look to build on a solid core with the selection if they don't decide to trade it. 

ESPN's Chad Ford has Indiana selecting Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague in the late first-round in his most recent 2012 NBA Mock Draft. This pick makes little sense for Indiana though, if they do indeed re-sign George Hill. Three point guards competing for one starting spot is counterproductive.

Instead, the Pacers might be wise to target an all-around playmaker like Michigan State's Draymond Green or a knock-down shooter like Kentucky's Doron Lamb, who will likely both be available at No. 26. 

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the upcoming NBA offseason. 

Follow _Pat_Clarke on Twitter

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