Updated 01:42 PM EST, Sun, Dec 22, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers Trade Future 2nd-Round Pick to Get Center Roy Hibbert From Indiana Pacers

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The Los Angeles Lakers traded their future second-round pick to acquire center Roy Hibbert from the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

In a statement quoted in a Los Angeles Times report, Lakers general manager, Mitch Kupchak, said he is glad with Hibbert's addition to their roster.

"Roy is a proven All-Star center that will help improve our front line. In addition, he is a consummate professional and we look forward to having him on the team," Kupchak added.

In 2008, the center was drafted 17 overall and became part of the 2012 and 2014 NBA All-Star team.

The Los Angeles Times added that with the trade, the Lakers will now pay for his "$15.5-million salary into their available cap space." The player is also reportedly eligible for a 15 percent trade bonus, which is equivalent to $2.3 million. Hibbert, however, could have waived this bonus to leave Indiana.

"If not, the Pacers are responsible for paying Hibbert's bonus, but the Lakers would need $17.8 million in cap space," added the same report.

According to Fox Sports, the Lakers welcomed Hibbert into the team after failing to sign the biggest names in this year's free agency like Greg Monroe, DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge.

It was also noted that the player has moved to Los Angeles for this summer, where he is currently studying jiu-jitsu and immersing himself into pop culture and comedy.

With him leaving, the Pacers has lost one of their best contributors since Hibbert averaged 11.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game.

Pacers' president, Larry Bird, expressed his gratitude to Hibbert and for what he has done for the team.

"I'd like to thank Roy for all his contributions during his time in Indiana. He was a two-time NBA All-Star, and we appreciate everything he did for our franchise both on and off the court," Bird told IndyStar.

If many fans saw the move as something bad for the player and his former team, Pacers forward, C.J. Miles, believes otherwise.

"It's unfortunate the way it's perceived to happen but at the same time, that was something that we needed to do as a team to get better. I wish all good vibes to him and I hope that he continues to be Big Dawg, who he is (and) continues to play well and defend the rim -- until we play him anyway," Miles added in the IndyStar report.

His trade to the Lakers is also an indication that Bird is sticking to his game plan of playing at a faster tempo, which earlier resulted to Hibbert playing for a limited time only.

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