Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, G Delon Wright
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Kyle Kuzma, C Montrezl Harrell (Player Option), F Alfonzo McKinnie, LAL 2021 1st Round Pick (Pick #22)
It is no secret that GM Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers front-office are looking to add more talent around LeBron James and Anthony Davis this offseason and Buddy Hield seems to be one of the predominant names mentioned in Lakers’ rumors over the last month.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, both the Lakers and Kings have discussed a trade highlighted by Buddy Hield going to L.A. In return, the Kings would be acquiring Kyle Kuzma and other assets as well. In the trade highlighted above, both Hield and Kuzma are involved, as are a couple of other pieces for both teams.
The Kings would be trading Hield and Wright to the Lakers, giving them two backcourt players that are cheaper than Dennis Schroder and can contribute in more meaningful ways on the offensive-end of the floor. On the receiving end of things, the Kings would not only get Kyle Kuzma, but they would get Montrezl Harrell, Alfonzo McKinnie and the No. 22 pick in this year’s draft.
Sacramento already owns the No. 9 pick in the draft and are open to trading down for the right deal, so there are a lot of possibilities on what the Kings could wind up doing in the draft, especially if they trade Hield to the Lakers and end up with the No. 22 pick as well.
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Bringing in Montrezl Harrell, if he is willing to opt into his player option, is also a smart move for the Kings, along with bringing in Kyle Kuzma. Richaun Holmes is a free agent this offseason and could be on the move, which is why the Kings need to have a player like Harrell to cover themselves.
Buddy Hield is owed $22.4M, which is a lot for the Lakers to pay for a player who is not an All-Star-level talent, but at the same time, they need a guy who is more than capable of scoring 18+ points per night strictly from the perimeter. LeBron James is one of the best passers in the league and Anthony Davis one of the better passing big men in the league, so Los Angeles could be a place where Hield thrives.
READ MORE: Predictions for Stars in NBA Trade Rumors: Beal, Simmons, Westbrook, Leonard, Turner
They could potentially look to bring in DeMar DeRozan in free agency if he is willing to take a much less contract than usual, but the Lakers need to make a move on draft night and they know this. Whether it is trading for a star or trading for a guy like Buddy Hield, expect the Lakers to be aggressive and look to leverage not only Kyle Kuzma, but the No. 22 pick in the draft.
