Report: Lakers, Pacers 'finalizing terms on a trade' for Roy Hibbert
Tap here to view theScore's NBA Offseason Tracker, which includes the latest transactions and rumors.
With attempts to land big names in free agency not panning out as they hoped, the Los Angeles Lakers have begun to focus more of their attention on trades to assist in improving the roster, with a 7-foot-2 center set to make his way to the Staples Center.
The team is finalizing a deal with the Indiana Pacers to acquire center Roy Hibbert, with the only issue being how the Lakers would fit his 15 percent trade kicker into their cap space, reports Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
Trade kicker is $2.3M bonus Pacers pay Hibbert -- but impacts Lakers salary cap. No deal can be completed until July 9. Time to complete it.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 4, 2015
Hibbert recently opted in to his $15.5-million player option for the 2015-16 season with Indiana, despite team officials indicating they wanted to move him.
With Los Angeles taking on Hibbert's contract in the deal, the Lakers will seek to preserve as much salary cap space as possible in the process, adds Wojnarowski.
As the two sides continue to work out the framework of the deal, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reports the Pacers will likely receive cash and a future pick in return. On Sunday, Wojnarowski reported the Lakers could still include a player in the transaction.
In 76 appearances last season, Hibbert averaged 10.6 points on 44.1 percent shooting, including 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 rejections.
He'll have plenty to offer the Lakers on the defensive end, although his offense is hit and miss with his scoring averages dropping each year since 2012.