NBA Free Agency: 10 players most likely to move this summer
By Tom West
7. Roy Hibbert
Roy Hibbert has fallen an awfully long way in such a short amount of time. Most still find it hard to believe that he’s actually a two-time All-Star, receiving the honors in 2011-12 and 2013-14 as the anchor of those harsh defensive Pacers teams that gave LeBron James trouble in the East.
It’s seriously been just two years since Hibbert was an All-Star. Since then, his reputation has fallen apart due to a dismal lack of rebounding for someone who’s 7’2″, minimal offensive impact and decreased rim protection. Essentially, as the threes around the NBA increase and the game grows smaller and faster, Hibbert’s plodding body and play style are going to become more archaic by the second.
Now with the Lakers, he’s been reduced to 23.2 minutes from his starting role, averaging only 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. To translate how little he benefits the team beyond those numbers, the Lakers’ net rating plummeted from an already troubled -3.3 without him to a disastrous -18.1 whenever he was on the floor this season (per Basketball Reference). That terrible stat speaks for itself.
Unsurprisingly, the Lakers were open to trade offers for Hibbert at the deadline.
Lakers have taken calls Hibbert, but don't intend to buy him out if they don't find a trade today.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 18, 2016
And his comment to Mark Medina in April makes it clear that he understands how the Lakers value him.
Roy Hibbert: "I would love to come back, but I'm realistic with where they are."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 14, 2016
Don’t expect their attitude to change this summer, as they look to free themselves of his current $15.5 million contract that still seems far too expensive for the new free agent, despite the exploding salary cap.
Next: 6. Rajon Rondo