The Cleveland Cavaliers are still in pursuit of All-Star center Roy Hibbert, and a latest report by Sacramento NBA beat writer Tyler Spence indicated the Cavs might look into a four-team trade to get the rim protector.
The Cavaliers seem to be really interested in acquiring Hibbert, who has been heavily criticized for collapsing towards the end of last season. Spence of Sacramento's radio sports show Midweek Madness said the Cavs might try to find one or two conduit teams in order for them to absorb Hibbert's huge contract.
The Cavs have been searching for a rim-protecting big that would cover Kevin Love's liability to guard his man in the interior. General manager David Griffin reportedly attempted to get Russian center Timofey Mozgov, but the Nuggets' asking price is too much for a deal to materialize.
Loaded with young talents and significant trade assets, the Cavs are in position of adding another key player to their roster after already acquiring Love in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, re-signing point guard Kyrie Irving and welcoming back LeBron James after a four-year trip in South Beach.
According to report, the Cavaliers attempted to lure the Pacers by offering third-year shooting guard Dion Waiters, Brendan Haywood (with $10M non-guaranteed deal), and a first-round pick for Hibbert. However, latest rumblings inside the Cavs front office indicated that they are iffy to part ways with Waiters, who is meshing pretty well with the Cavs starters at training camp.
Moreover, Hibbert's $15M paycheck next season is too huge for the Cavs to take. To get Hibbert, the Cavs need to pull off a three-team or four-team deal to prevent the deal from being vetoed by the commissioner due to financial complexities.
"Complications in Roy Hibbert deal are obviously salaries. Most likely a 3rd or 4th team will need to be involved if a deal is to get done," according to Spence.
The 27-year old Hibbert averaged 11.9 points, 6.9 boards and 2.4 swats per game with the Pacers last season. After a great start and becoming an All-Star for the second time in his career, Hibbert's play took a free-fall in the final weeks of the regular-season, forcing the Pacers coaching staff to bench him in some of their games.
With the Pacers trying to recover from a devastating leg injury suffered by star player Paul George, the team actively tried to shop Hibbert this offseason, offering him to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Goran Dragic and the Detroit Pistons for Greg Monroe.
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