After whiffing on most of their free agent targets, the Los Angeles Lakers decided to make a trade to add some new life to their roster.
Reports say the Lakers acquired center Roy Hibbert in a trade with the Pacers.
Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Lakers will likely trade picks and players to the Pacers for Hibbert:
Lakers take Hibbert's $15.5M salary into space, likely send combo of 2nd round pick(s) and overseas players rights. @JeffZillgitt first.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 4, 2015
By shedding Hibbert’s contract, the Pacers will free up $15.5 million in salary.
Hibbert gets a 2.3m bonus that drops LAL room to about 4.7m. Indiana will pay Hibbert the 2.3m
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 4, 2015
Hibbert became a double-double and shot-blocking machine for the Pacers, earning a 4-year, $58 million contract. However, he suddenly turned into a disappointment towards the end of the 2014 season, leading him to be shopped in trade talks. The Pacers kept Hibbert last season and after exec Larry Bird criticized him following the season, they finally decided to trade him.
After having some problems with teammates in Indiana, Hibbert sure can use a fresh start.
