After missing out on almost every free agent they targeted, it appears the Los Angeles Lakers might still land an All-Star big man: Roy Hibbert. Although not official yet, the Lakers and Indiana Pacers appear to nearing a trade that would send Hibbert to LA.
ESPN sources say that the Lakers and Pacers are actively discussing a trade where L.A. would take Roy Hibbert into salary-cap space
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2015
Hearing the Lakers-Pacers deal is done involving Roy Hibbert. Just a matter of the assets involved now.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) July 4, 2015
The trade would seem to be a win-win-win for all sides.
The Pacers would rid themselves of a player they no longer want and who doesn’t fit into the uptempo style they want to play going forward. They seemingly selected Hibbert’s replacement in this year’s draft, Myles Turner. And, the team has already undergone roster changes this summer looking towards the future, and an effort to retool the team.
For Hibbert, the change of scenery might be the one thing that could reboot his career, which has been on a decline since the midpoint of 2013-2014.
Outside of Kwame Brown, every big man Kobe Bryant has played with has thrived – from Shaquille O’Neal to Pau Gasol to Andrew Bynum. He demands the best out of his teammates, and what Hibbert might need most right now is Bryant’s unique approach to leadership. Hibbert will have the opportunity to be a featured piece of the offense, too, something he never quite had in Indiana. He’s a skilled passer and in previous playoff battles with the Miami Heat showed that he can put together a string of 20-and-10 games. Add this to the fact that he will be entering a contract year, and the Lakers could be getting a gifted and motivated All-Star center.
(Via Marc Stein and Jared Zwerling)
