The Los Angeles Lakers may have struck out this summer in terms of landing a big name in NBA free agency, but the team remains active on the trade market. Agreeing to acquire Roy Hibbert from the Indiana Pacers may be the first of many trades to come.
According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports, the Lakers remain in trade talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cavs still discussing trade of Haywood contract with several teams, including Lakers, Suns, Clippers. Not talking Andy Varejao with anyone.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) July 8, 2015
After failing to convince LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe or Kevin Love to sign with the team, the Lakers shifted gears in free agency with second-tier options. Although no real game-changers agreed to sign, Los Angeles has done well this week with Lou Williams, Brandon Bass and the acquisition of Hibbert.
The Cavaliers have been trying to trade Haywood’s contract for the past week or so with a few teams showing interest. The Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets were potential suitors with talk of Jamal Crawford or Joe Johnson heading back to Cleveland in return.
As for the Lakers, it is uncertain the asset(s) the team may be sending to Cleveland if they get a deal done. As Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk states, Haywood’s contract becomes guaranteed in a few weeks time meaning Cleveland is anxious to get a deal done:
Haywood’s contract becomes guaranteed on Aug. 1, so as long as whatever team waives him by July 31 saves all that cash. Sadly, the piece of paper with Haywood’s name on it is worth far more than Haywood on the court right now.
Rumors of trade talks involving the Lakers have been circulating for the past few days. Nick Young may potentially be on the move as well as Jordan Hill and/or Jeremy Lin in possibly sign-and-trade deals.
Needless to say, it appears the Lakers brass is far from done in terms of rounding out the roster this summer.