HoopsHype.com Rumors

Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap indicated Wednesday he’d like Josh McRoberts back next season after McRoberts becomes an unrestricted free agent. Acquiring McRoberts at the trade deadline from Orlando appeared to be a minor deal, but he’s become a starter. Dunlap believes McRoberts’ passing has improved the Bobcats’ ball-movement. The Bobcats have totaled 20 or more assists in four of their last six games and Dunlap gives McRoberts credit for that. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Free Agency, Josh McRoberts, Mike Dunlap 

While most of the Bobcats are generally playing out the string — except when they face the Celtics — McRoberts is trying to optimize his chances to secure a guaranteed contract this summer. “I think here it’s been great so far for me in terms of getting an opportunity at my position,” he said. “You don’t want to ever get used to bouncing around. Everybody wants to find a role on a team and be comfortable. Everybody wants to get on a contender and try to make a run. “This is my sixth year and it’s something where I have seen a lot of situations and I want to get to a place where I can get an opportunity to help a team and hopefully win some games.” Boston Globe

Charlotte Bobcats, Josh McRoberts 

Sam Amick: The Magic are expected to waive Hakim Warrick, who they received in the deal with Charlotte that sent Josh McRoberts to Bobcats. Twitter @sam_amick

Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Hakim Warrick, Josh McRoberts 

Adrian Wojnarowski: The Redick deal is part of a three-way trade with Charlotte. As @Marc J. Spears reported, Hakim Warrick goes to Magic for Josh McRoberts. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Trade, Hakim Warrick, Josh McRoberts 

Ken Berger: League source confirms Bobcats awaiting league approval to send Hakim Warrick to Orlando or Josh McRoberts. Twitter @KBergCBS

Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Trade, Hakim Warrick, Josh McRoberts 

Rick Bonnell: BREAKING: Bobcats dealing Hakim Warrick for Josh McRoberts. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Trade, Hakim Warrick, Josh McRoberts 

McRoberts, a 6-foot-10 power forward in the final year of his contract, also knows he could be traded. He’s been traded twice in his six-year career, most recently in last August’s blockbuster centered around Dwight Howard. “It doesn’t weigh on me,” McRoberts said. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff in six years in the NBA, so it doesn’t bother me. I think I always know something could happen. It’s different than a lot of jobs; you don’t know where you’re going to end up. There’s a deadline and after that you have more security. But it’s just part of it.” Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Trade, Josh McRoberts 

Lakers fans quickly latched on to his nonstop energy, enthusiasm and high socks. But McRoberts’ time with the Lakers proved short-lived. On the heels of shipping Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers signed McRoberts just before training camp started to a two-year deal using their mini mid-level exception worth $3 million. He then became trade bait this offseason for the Howard deal. “It wasn’t like they traded me for a washing machine or something,” said McRoberts, who averaged 2.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.4 minutes last season with the Lakers. “They traded me for one of the best players in the league. Obviously they didn’t trade me straight up for him, I was a part of that trade. So, it’s kind of like anybody could have a part of that.” Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Josh McRoberts 

The Magic were key players in a blockbuster, four-team trade on Friday when they dealt Howard and reserves Chris Duhon and Earl Clark to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Magic also sent Jason Richardson to the Philadelphia 76ers and in return will receive Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga and rookie Moe Harkless, three first-round picks and two second-round selections. The Magic will receive protected first-round picks from Denver (or New York) in 2014, Philadelphia in ‘15 and Los Angeles in ‘17. NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Trade, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon, Al Harrington, Christian Eyenga, Earl Clark, Josh McRoberts, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless 

“We also appreciate the contributions that Josh and Christian made,” said Kupchak. “Although they were only with us for a short period of time, they worked hard both on and off the court and were well respected by their teammates. We wish them the best of luck in the future.” NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Mitch Kupchak, Christian Eyenga, Josh McRoberts 

The Lakers will send All-Star center Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers, who also will receive shooting guard Jason Richardson from the Orlando Magic. The Sixers will send guard Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets. The Magic will receive Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, rookie swingman Moe Harkless, forward Josh McRoberts, three protected first-round draft picks and a 2013 second-round pick from the Nuggets (by way of Golden State). In addition to Howard, the Lakers will also receive Earl Clark and Chris Duhon from the Magic. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Andre Iguodala, Trade, Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon, Al Harrington, Arron Afflalo, Earl Clark, Josh McRoberts, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless 

Sam Amick: Sources say Orlando also gets Lakers forward Josh McRoberts in the Dwight Howard deal. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, Josh McRoberts 

HOOPSWORLD has learned there are variations of the rumored deal being discussed that does not include Gasol but have a similar structure with Bynum to Philadelphia, Iguodala to Denver, Howard to Los Angeles and Afflalo to Orlando. It’s unclear if Harrington is in that scenario. Additionally the Lakers are said to have Josh McRoberts and Devin Ebanks (via sign and trade) as outgoing salary for a Howard deal. HoopsWorld

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Trade, Devin Ebanks, Dwight Howard, Josh McRoberts 

In the second game, technical fouls were issued to the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Josh McRoberts, who got two and was ejected. The Clippers' Chauncey Billups and Reggie Evans also received technicals. "We don't make too much of it," Paul said. "First of all, it's been so long ago that we played them. We're two totally different teams. I don't even remember that last game too much. But it's obviously a big game" Wednesday. And what about Gasol rubbing Paul on the head in the second game, causing the Clippers All-Star guard to push Gasol back? "I don't even remember that, until you bring it up," Paul claimed. So is this a rivalry? "It's not really a rivalry," Griffin said. "It's a game between two teams that play in the same city, play in the same building. It's just another game." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Chauncey Billups, Reggie Evans, Josh McRoberts 

Kevin Ding: Fan was holding up record jacket of old "k.o.b.e" song, which amused Matt Barnes so much he pointed it out to Josh McRoberts. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Matt Barnes, Josh McRoberts 

Josh McRoberts knew the odds were not good that his hometown team, the Indiana Pacers, would re-sign him during the offseason. At the same time, McRoberts, who spent three seasons with the Pacers, felt "insulted" that they didn't reach out to him or his agent once free agency started. "I definitely felt insulted," the Los Angeles Lakers forward said before Sunday's game against the Pacers. "I knew they were going to try and make an improvement at the position. But in the meetings they told me they were going to try and bring me back if they could. If you're going to say that, at least make a call. "That made it harder on me because other teams were thinking what was wrong with me and how come the Pacers didn't want me back. I feel like I gave a lot to the team." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Josh McRoberts 

Josh McRoberts was born in Indianapolis and played high school basketball in nearby Carmel, Ind. , earning Parade All-America honors. Playing for the hometown NBA Pacers was a dream. A dream that came true when the Portland Trail Blazers, who had made him a second-round pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, traded him to Indianapolis the following season. McRoberts played three seasons in Indianapolis, where he established himself as a scrappy, physical post player. But last summer, the Pacers opted not to re-sign McRoberts, a free agent, after failing to trade him before the trade deadline. Instead, he signed with the Lakers on Dec. 14, 2011, landing a two-year deal worth about $6 million. “They (Pacers) tried to trade me at deadline and it didn’t work, they didn’t get it done,” McRoberts said. “And then they told me they were going to try and bring me back this summer but didn’t call and didn’t bring me back. “It kind of ended in a bad way in my opinion. But I will always be thankful for the way it started and the time I spent there.” Orange County Register

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Trade, Josh McRoberts 

Josh McRoberts was born and raised in Indianapolis and played the majority of his career with the Indiana Pacers prior to this year. Now, after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers over the offseason, McRoberts is adjusting to life in a new environment. “I’ll always be from Indianapolis,” McRoberts said with a smile. “I’m not used to being in Los Angeles.” What has been the biggest difference between Indiana and Los Angeles? “I definitely get noticed more, recognized more, when I’m going to different places,” McRoberts said. HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Josh McRoberts 

Josh McRoberts fulfilled a dream when he joined his hometown Indiana Pacers before the 2008-09 season. The honeymoon lasted 2½ years. Indiana tried to trade the power forward for Memphis guard O.J. Mayo last season, but the deal was never consummated. McRoberts said the Pacers then told him they wanted to bring him back for this season but never called. "It kind of ended in a bad way in my opinion," McRoberts said, "but I'll always be thankful for the way that it started and the time that I spent there." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Josh McRoberts 

McRoberts had his best NBA season with the Pacers last year, averaging 7.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 22.2 minutes. "I don't hold any grudges," McRoberts said. "That's part of the business side of things and they're having a great season and I understand they felt like they needed to move in a different direction. It worked out well for both of us." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Josh McRoberts