Proposed Trade Has Lakers Sending 2 Vets to Land Buddy Hield

On Tuesday, NBA draft pick Buddy Hield told the New York Times that he had been informed by the New Orleans Pelicans that they will trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are willing to trade all of their second round picks to the Pelicans, taking Hield as well as the Lakers’ 2016 second round pick. With the Lakers’ first round pick, they will draft another player.

The New York Knicks are making some noise at the trade deadline—but not for the right reasons. The team is trying to trade away a pair of veteran players, as well as a pair of first round picks in 2019 and 2020, to acquire Buddy Hield and Solomon Hill.

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Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings guard.

The Los Angeles Lakers have some big decisions to make this season. Two players whose futures are in doubt are Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma. His role diminished as the season progressed and by the time the playoffs began, he had completely disappeared from the lineup. The latter got a lot of time on the field, but couldn’t be a consistent threat to the team.

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report thinks the Lakers can pack up Kuzma and Harrell and send them to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for defenseman Buddy Hield :

The Lakers need to step up their game offensively. Buddy Heald may not have a dedication, but he is one of the best shooters in the world. Since joining the league, he is one of 17 players to shoot over 40 percent from three-point range on at least 1,000 attempts.

Paying off the rest of his contract – three years, $62.5 million guaranteed – is not a decision to be taken lightly. But he’s the perfect addition for an offense that likes to play with two bigs, and his salary isn’t that high.

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Buddy Heald 2020-21 SUPERMIXView 20 minutes of highlights from Buddy Heald’s 2020-21 season.2021-06-02T23:09:13Z

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This could be a good deal for the Lakers

For this deal to happen, the Lakers will have to clear Harrell’s option. That’s no guarantee, given that he was clearly unhappy with his role this season. But after a disappointing season, he might not get another $9.5 million. If he decides to exercise the option, Los Angeles should try to transfer him because he’s not a good fit for the team.

Buying him and Kuzma in exchange for a player like Heald would be a good idea. The Lakers need a reliable third scorer who can hit three-pointers. Heald is one of the best at shooting. He has shot 40.6 percent from three-point range in his career and was a three-point shooting champion last year. It would look good in Los Angeles. The Kings have shown interest in Kuzma in the past, so this deal might not be so far-fetched.

Kuzma believes he can still be a star

Opinion on Kuzma is at an all-time low right now. He was supposed to be a third star for the Lakers, but he became nothing more than a comfortable bench player. He turns 26 years old this month. One may therefore wonder whether it has not already reached its limits. He doesn’t believe it’s true. He still thinks he can be a star.

I sure can. I guess so. I don’t care what others think or say. I know myself and my abilities. It’s hard to be consistent in an inconsistent role. I’m looking forward to being more consistent next year, Kuzma told Bleacher Report.

I work a lot in the off-season to try and add something to my game. I’ve become a great defender. My freshman year, I was an emergency defensive end. I haven’t arrested anyone. Whether it’s elite wingers, four-way defenders, or even playmakers and shooting guards, I have the ability to defend four positions and have a real impact on the game on that side of the field.

READ MORE: New star loves tweets saying he’s joining the Lakers this offseason

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