Nuggets reportedly acquire Roy Hibbert from Bucks

The Denver Nuggets have reportedly acquired center Roy Hibbert from the Milwaukee Bucks, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Nuggets will send a top 55 protected 2019 second-round pick back to the Milwaukee, per Christopher Dempsey. 

Hibbert, 30, is averaging 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in just 16.0 minutes per game for the Bucks this season.

It’s been a well-documented fall from stardom for Hibbert who shined for the Indiana Pacers from 2009-15. Hibbert has struggled to find his footing since, bouncing from the Lakers, to Charlotte, then Milwaukee and now to Denver since.

Hibbert will give the Nuggets depth on the interior and extra body inside, something that could come in handy against New Orleans, who’s expected to battle Denver for the eighth seed in the West after their recent acquisition of DeMarcus Cousins.

Acquiring Hibbert and his $5 million contract this season does get the Nuggets to within roughly $2 million of the salary floor. Denver’s roster now stands at 15.

The Nuggets were close to acquiring Blazers’ center Festus Ezeli, according to Haynes, but opted for the healthy Hibbert instead.