The Los Angeles Lakers have a number of veterans who could possibly be moved before the trade deadline and one name that has been brought up a number of times is center, Roy Hibbert.
Once the deadline passes, however, many players are bought out by teams, making them free to sign with whomever they please.
That won’t be the case for Hibbert, however, as Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reports that the Lakers will not buy out Hibbert if he isn’t traded by 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
Shelburne also reports that most calls the Lakers have taken have been centered around Hibbert and Brandon Bass, but the Lakers aren’t interested in taking back a contract:
Thus far most calls Lakers have heard on Bass/Hibbert involve them taking back a contract, which holds no appeal.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 18, 2016
The Lakers not wanting to take back contracts makes sense as they have been adamant about maintaining their cap space this off-season. If the Lakers wind up moving one of their veterans, it seems as if it would be for either draft picks or someone who will be off the books this summer.
With the trade deadline quickly approaching the Lakers will have to decide if they want to move one of their veterans, but the team will not make a move just for the sake of trading someone. The Lakers will only make a move that truly benefits them and that deal has not shown itself just yet.