Lakers News: Latest on Roy Hibbert, Trading Nick Young and More

The Los Angeles Lakers' biggest offseason win came before free agency even started, when general manager Mitch Kupchak made the decision to select Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell with the No. 2 overall pick.

That doesn’t mean Kupchack and the Lakers haven’t tried luring some marquee free agents to Los Angeles—it just means that they haven’t exactly been successful in their wooing.

Though the Lakers missed on all of the first-tier free agents, they’ve done well to procure a solid, albeit ragtag, group of role players around the aging Kobe Bryant and his new protegee, Russell.

Let’s break down what we know for certain, what might be and what could be in the City of Angels.

Hibbert’s Here

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Talks centered on sending Indiana Pacers big man Roy Hibbert to Los Angeles had been swirling since the Fourth of July, when ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that Indiana had engaged the Lakers in trade talks:

The deal finally became official on Thursday, with Hibbert shipped to the Lakers in exchange for a future second-round draft pick, per Mark Trudell of Time Warner Cable SportsNet:

Hibbert, an NBA All-Star in 2012 and 2014, has fallen off as precipitously, if not more so, than any player in recent memory. The former Georgetown Hoya posted career highs in points per game (12.8), rebounds (8.8), player efficiency rating (19.3) and win shares (6.2) during the 2011-2012 season, but he hasn’t been able to surpass any of those numbers in the three seasons since.

The 7’2, 275-pound center won’t solve the Lakers’ myriad problems, but he’ll provide a strong shot-deterring presence in the middle for an L.A. defense that ranked 29th in the NBA last season, per NBA.com.

Following the signings of Lou Williams (three years, $21 million) and Brandon Bass (two years, $6.1 million), Hibbert will likely take up the Lakers’ remaining cap space, meaning any other major moves will have to come via trade.

The 28-year-old waived over $2.2 million of his trade bonus in coming over to L.A., which originated from the 15 percent trade kicker included in his contract, in order to make the deal work, per Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times:

Hibbert is on the books for $15.6 million next season, after which he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.

Sayonara, Swaggy P?

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Nick Young, along with his alter ego Swaggy P, have reportedly been on the trading block since the free-agency period began, but as of today, he’s still a Laker.

With Kobe Bryant, D’Angelo Russell and Lou Williams donning the purple and gold this season, there doesn’t appear to be much room left for Swaggy P and his fabled ball-chucking ability, though general manager Mitch Kupchak recently told reporters, including the Los Angeles Times’ Mike Bresnahan, that there still could be a role for Young to play:

Despite Kupchak’s remarks, it’s difficult to envision this old dog—Young is entering his ninth NBA season—truly learning enough new tricks to fit in with what Los Angeles has in mind.

Even with the general manager’s supposed backing, Young’s name has surfaced in trade discussions with several teams across the league.

The Bulls emerged as contenders at one point, with new coach Fred Hoiberg possibly looking to instill some more offense into the lineup, but Laker Nation’s Ryan Ward has seemingly put those rumors to rest:

As it currently stands, it appears the Sultan of Swag will be rocking Lakers gear to start the season. But Young’s affordable contract and proven ability as a legitimate bench-scoring threat—even if he is prone to the ridiculous—make him a movable asset, so don’t expect the rumors to stop swirling anytime soon.

Making Moves for Haywood and Seraphin?

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

It seems like every team in the NBA has been trying to get its hands on the non-guaranteed contract of Cleveland Cavalier Brendan Haywood.

Haywood's $10.5 million contract becomes fully guaranteed if he's not waived on or before August 1, per Spotrac, so it's in Cleveland's best interest to deal the big man as quickly as possible.

As of Tuesday, the Lakers were still very much in discussions with Cleveland for Haywood's contract, per Sam Amico of FOX Sports and Amico Hoops:

Elsewhere, Los Angeles has found itself linked to former Washington Wizard Kevin Seraphin, according to reports from Sheridan Hoops' Michael Scotto:

The 25-year-old, who spent 87 percent of his on-court time at the center position last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com, would make for a solid backup to Hibbert, especially considering the loss of Jordan Hill.

Seraphin's career averages (6.4 PTS, 3.7 REB, 0.8 BLK) are modest, but the 6'9", 264-pounder is capable of providing the Lakers with a yeoman's service for 20 minutes a night.

The Lakers have had to opt for serviceable rather than splashy this offseason, and adding a young backup big like Seraphin would be another example of a savvy move from a team that has had to learn the hard way to practice patience.