Lakers Acquire Center Roy Hibbert In Trade With Pacers

USA Today

After whiffing in NBA free agency this summer, the Los Angeles Lakers chose to take a different course of action to upgrade their frontcourt. LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe weren’t buying what the Lakers were selling, so the team did what they do best, make trades.

According to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times, the Lakers have acquired veteran center Roy Hibbert from the Indiana Pacers:

The Lakers acquired 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert on Thursday, sending a future second-rounder to the Indiana Pacers.

Although Hibbert is by no means Aldridge or Jordan, the Lakers did well to bring in one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. Not only did the storied franchise land an All-Star-caliber center, but they did it without giving up much and being able to part ways next summer if it doesn’t work out with the veteran seven-footer.

At one point in time, Hibbert was considered to be among the best centers in the league. The two-time All-Star was at the core of the Pacers’ defense when Indiana was clicking on all cylinders two seasons ago. The Georgetown product may have seen a dip in numbers across the board last season, but he can easily bounce back in new surroundings.

As for Indiana, the team is headed in a new direction after parting ways with Hibbert and letting David West walk in free agency. Paul George will lead the way once again for the Pacers next season while Bird tries to assemble a talent squad around his star player.