Lakers Trade Rumors: Roy Hibbert a trade target?

There have been many names linked with the Lakers in their attempt to move the #7 pick prior to the NBA Draft. One of the higher profile names being linked to them is a former All-Defensive 2nd team member and 2x All-Star.

According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Lakers and Pacers may be discussing a trade involving Roy Hibbert:

"There has been much speculation about what the Lakers will do with the No. 7 pick, most notably get involved in a Kevin Love-to-Golden State deal as a third team, in hopes of netting Klay Thompson. But as the Warriors have now resisted giving up Thompson in a deal involving Love — and probably won’t budge from that stance — the Lakers will have to consider other options.Rumors have cropped up that the Lakers would move their pick to the Sixers for Michael Carter-Williams or send it to Indiana in a deal for Roy Hibbert. Neither scenario has been seriously considered, however."

This is certainly a blockbuster deal, but likely not a realistic one. Hibbert is coming off a horrible second half of last season and his price isn’t too high. It’s unlikely the Lakers would deal the 7th pick for him unless they were strongly committed to winning a title before Kobe Bryant retires.

The deal becomes more interesting if the Pacers take the dead weight that is Steve Nash‘s contract, but even then, the Lakers don’t have enough room to bring in a player like LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony unless they agree to a substantial pay cut. Even more, Hibbert has a huge player option for 2015-16 that could severely cut into the Lakers cap space and ability to spend on a free agent like Kevin Love.

Would you like to see Hibbert as a Laker?