NBA: Pacers center Hibbert to sign max deal offer sheet from Trail Blazers

The off-season revamp of the Portland Trail Blazers continued in earnest, as new general manager Neil Olshey tendered Indiana Pacers restricted free agent Roy Hibbert to a max deal offer sheet, which the 7'2" center will reportedly sign. Sports Illustrated.com's Sam Amick reported that Portland was just one of two teams that were willing to give Hibbert a max deal, but TNT and NBA.com's David Aldridge says Hibbert will sign the Trail Blazers' offer on July 11, when the moratorium for new contracts is lifted. Such an offer would be worth $58 million over four years. Once signed, the Pacers will then have three days to decide whether or not to match. Hibbert, who became an All-Star for the first time this year, averaged career-highs of 29.8 minutes, 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 2.0 blocks in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 NBA season. The Pacers advanced to the playoffs this year after a lengthy absence, before losing in six games in the semifinals to the eventual champions, Miami Heat. Snagging Hibbert is not without a downside however, as it could affect Portland's ability to re-sign one of their own restricted free agents, Nicolas Batum, who is drawing interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Aldridge also wrote. - AMD, GMA News