The NBA trade rumors continue and the Lakers are taking the role of both buyer and seller.
The LA Lakers have to fill a lot of needs but they seem to have their eye on the future. As such, their veteran players seem to be expendable as they have done their role: to fill in the gap this season.
Roy Hibbert seems to define "gap filler" as he is also an expiring contract. Lakers Nation mentioned that the Lakers are shopping him to a playoff team.
"A two-time All Star, Hibbert had worn out his welcome in Indiana and appeared to be a textbook case of a player who simply needed a new environment in order to re-ignite his fire," LN's Trevor Lane wrote. "Now, halfway through the 2015-2016 season and with the Lakers struggling, it appears as though they may be willing to part ways with their 7'2″ center."
As the Lakers head on to vacation in April, the playoff teams may need some extra bodies in the playoff wars and Hibbert has the size and the experience in playoff situations.
This is why the Boston Celtics have considered trading their expiring contract David Lee for Hibbert. Celtics are not tanking and they want to win. Hibbert fills a need for them that Lee does not, as mentioned by Hoops Habit.
"Boston is trying to build on their playoff appearance last season that ended in a first round sweep, and adding the rim protector that the Celtics sorely need would certainly help on that front," HH wrote. "Lee has grown frustrated with his limited role in Boston and the Celtics would be doing him a solid by trading him somewhere."
This is a minor trade that most pundits believe is overdue, but the Celtics are holding on to Lee's expiring as he is the salary filler if they trade for a star. If the Celtics wave the white flag on names such as DeMarcus Cousins or Dwight Howard, expect them to take Hibbert instead.