The Charlotte Hornets and center Roy Hibbert have reached agreement on a one-year deal worth $5 million, according to a report by The Vertical.
Hibbert was once the key cog in the most dominant defense in the NBA, a two-time All-Star and 2013-14 runner-up for NBA Defensive Player of the Year with the Indiana Pacers. Most remember the 7-foot-2 Georgetown product for being a force in the paint during the Pacers' playoff battles against LeBron James and the Miami Heat -- and for being a key reason James had second thoughts about driving the lane.
All that faded away when the Pacers essentially gave Hibbert away in a salary dump for a second-round draft pick last summer. Hibbert struggled to regain his form last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, as he averaged just 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds over 23.2 minutes per game in 81 outings.
Although he often spent much of practices last season working on his outside jumper to make himself more valuable, Hibbert was never able to make much of an impact on offense and represents an old guard of back-to-the-basket centers.
He will be tasked with replacing Al Jefferson, who agreed to terms with Hibbert's former team in Indiana.
