The Los Angeles Lakers failed to land a big-name free agent this summer, but reports revealed they are on the verge of acquiring former All-Star Roy Hibbert from the Indiana Pacers.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN and multiple online reports, the Lakers and the Pacers have agreed to the swap, but are not expected to announce a deal until all details are finalized.
While the details of the trade are still being ironed out, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today revealed the Lakers will likely send a future draft pick and cash consideration to the Pacers.
Hibbert, who averaged 10.6 points on top of 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game with the Pacers last season, will be playing in the final year of his contract that will pay him $15.5 million next season.
The deal is viewed by most analysts as a short-term solution for the Lakers after failing to convince their top targets to sign this offseason. The trade gives them a starting center for the upcoming season, while keeping their financial flexibility for another run for top free agents next year, which might include Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant.
The Lakers, who finished last season with a measly 21-61 record, attempted to sign several top free agents this summer, but failed in their bids. They made a strong push to sign All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, but the former Portland Trail Blazer opted to sign a four-year, $80 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers also made a push to get former Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, but the defensive specialist decided to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Robin Lopez was also on the Lakers' radar this summer, but the 27-year-old center signed a four-year, $54 million deal with the New York Knicks.
Greg Monroe was also one of the top targets of the Lakers this offseason, but the former Detroit Pistons joined the Milwaukee Bucks and agreed to a three-year, $50 million offer. The 25-year-old forward could have received bigger salary from the Lakers, but agent David Falk said they felt the Bucks were a better fit.
"I just think for Greg, he could have picked the Lakers and fit in and been happy," Falk said of Monroe's decision to sign with the Bucks. "But Milwaukee was a better fit. It had nothing to do with the presentation."
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