Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly looking to add complementary "open-floor" players that will match the plays of their trio of young guns Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and D'Angelo Russell and veteran center Roy Hibbert is said to be the one who is being dangled for a trade.
Bleacher Report's David Murphy reported that "the Lakers' biggest plausible trade chip", literally and figuratively, is the 7-foot-2 Hibbert.
The former Georgetown standout is in the final year of his four-year, $58.4 million contract signed with the Indiana Pacers in 2012-2013 that earns him $15.5 million this season. He stands to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and it is highly likely that he will look at offers from other teams.
The Lakers acquired him via a trade with the Pacers in exchange for a future second round pick aiming that he could improve the team's flimsy interior defense. Hibbert sort of did the job, averaging 6.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 35 games so far for the Hollywood squad, but his game is noticeably being held back by his younger, faster, and more athletic teammates.
Murphy noted that "Hibbert's half-court style doesn't translate well to the open-floor strengths of his younger teammates", which allegedly directs general manager Mitch Kupchak to try and explore trade options involving the 29-year-old giant for a stretch four or five.
Rant Sports indicated that Hibbert could be an eye candy for a playoff-bound team in need of a defensive big man to plow deeper into the postseason, "but if they are not satisfied with his play, then they can let him walk in the summer".
