Trail Blazers offer Roy Hibbert a max contract

roy hibbert

The Portland Trail Blazers offered Indiana Pacers restricted free agent center Roy Hibbert a maximum contract after meeting with him in Washington, D.C., early Sunday, SI.com has learned.

A source with knowledge of the meeting said Indiana did not offer a max deal at the outset of the free-agent negotiating period and, unless that changes, Hibbert is leaning toward signing the Trail Blazers’ four-year, $58 million offer sheet. Hibbert cannot do so until July 11, when the free-agent moratorium ends, after which the Pacers would have three days to match the offer and retain the 25-year-old All-Star.

In addition, the source said one other team, which was not named, also offered Hibbert a max deal after the start of free agency on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. ET.

New Blazers general manager Neil Olshey and team president Larry Miller were among those who met at the office of Hibbert’s agent, David Falk, the source said.

— Reported by Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated

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Steve Nash meets with Knicks, Raptors

steve nash

The Knicks met with Steve Nash on Sunday knowing that they face an uphill battle in their pursuit of the future Hall of Fame point guard.

Nash also met with the Toronto Raptors on the first day of free agency and the club reportedly offered the Canadian citizen a three-year contract worth approximately $36 million.

The Knicks can only offer Nash a contract starting at $3 million annually unless they can engage the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade. It’s unlikely since the Suns seem more inclined to use the money freed up by Nash leaving to pursue other free agents. Phoenix president Lon Babby has set up meetings this week in Los Angeles with point guards Raymond Felton and Goran Dragic as well as shooting guard Eric Gordon.

Phoenix hasn’t entirely ruled out re-signing Nash but it seems more and more likely that the two-time MVP won’t return to the Suns.

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News