After missing out on a handful of top free agents, the Los Angeles Lakers have moved in a different direction, as they have acquired center Roy Hibbert from the Indiana Pacers. The two sides are still discussing other assets that will be involved, but the deal is essentially completed, per Jared Zwerling of BleacherReport. It is likely that the Pacers receive cash and future picks, however.

The Lakers failed to lure LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe, and DeAndre Jordan this offseason and have settled for Hibbert instead.

Hibbert may not be a terrible option for the Lakers despite the big man struggling the past couple years. He will aid the young Lakers core on the defensive end by becoming a legitimate anchor in the paint and will compliment last year’s number seven overall pick Julius Randle really well.

Other young players, such as D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, could also benefit from having a paint protector by their side defensively.

The Pacers had been shopping Hibbert for a while, trying to erase his large contract off the books. Hibbert opted in to his $15.5 million deal before the start of free agency, further motivating the Pacers to move him. Indiana will move forward with their new prospect Myles Turner at the center position.

The Lakers have the salary cap room to absorb Hibbert’s $15.5 million contract. Being that the contract will be expiring after the upcoming season, this trade makes perfect sense for the Lakers who were in desperate need of a big man.

Hibbert, 28, averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks last season. He had his best year during the 2011-2012 lockout season when he averaged 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field. The Lakers are hoping that with an increased role, Hibbert could produce like he did several years ago. He was, after all, a huge part of Indiana’s success when the team made back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances.

The two-time All-Star was a top-five shot blocker from 2012 to 2014. Things could have been worse for the Lakers since they missed out on big-name free agents, so this deal turns out to be a solid backup plan. If Hibbert doesn’t work out, the Lakers will simply not retain him and still have massive cap space to try and tempt star free agents again in 2016.

A rim protector is better than nothing for the Lakers who haven’t been an attractive market the last three offseasons. The Lakers also have interest in signing Kosta Koufos as another sizeable big man.

The Lakers will also need to fill in the remainder of their roster, as many of last season’s players are free agents. They still need to shore up their wing position and have interest in re-signing Wesley Johnson to bring him back for a third consecutive year.

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Hibbert deal has been agreed upon but will be officially completed on July 9th.