NBA Draft night saw a lot of moves in the league take place and not all dealt with rookies being selected to their respective teams. Several veterans made moves towards their futures which meant either opting in or opting out of player options before the June 29 deadline approaches. That decision could also make them trade bait, something Roy Hibbert is learning the hard way.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Hibbert informed the Indiana Pacers that he plans on opting into his $15.5 million player option for 2015 rather than become a free agent. Hibbert filled the paper work and sources immediately began reporting that the center will be placed on the trade market this summer. Stein reports that the Pacers favor the idea of building the team around Paul George and not Hibbert so getting that $15.5 million in cap space is a priority.
Hibbert will have a lot of interest surrounding him. The center is one of the better big men in the league at just 28. He can defend the pick-and-roll while also being a solid rim protector and defender. According to the Indianapolis Star, Hibbert will likely receive another four-year, multi-million dollar deal in free agency as his stock is very high at the moment. So who tries to acquire him?
Several teams have made defense a priority this offseason. That is why there was so much interest in a trade for DeMarcus Cousins. The New York Knicks could be a viable option. The team did draft Kristaps Porzingis, but there are no guarantees the rookie is ready to start opening night. Hibbert could immediately step in and fill that whole left by Tyson Chandler last season. Phil Jackson told the New York Post that getting an elite defender is a top need for the Knicks and Hibbert could be a solid option.
The Los Angeles Lakers are another team needing size on their roster. The Lakers opted to pass up on Jahlil Okafor in favor of D'Angelo Russell which helps their point guard issues, but does not help defense. Los Angeles has been trying to negotiate a trade for Cousins, but if that were to fail, Hibbert could be the next-best thing. Los Angeles has assets they are willing to trade in Nick Young or Jordan Clarkson which could help get them the center in the coming months.
The Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets are all teams looking for size this offseason. If the Pacers are really aiming to get a trade done, they will accept a favorable package that might put Hibbert ahead of other free agents.
