There are going to be some major changes this offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team has struggled mightily, as they are barely holding onto a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles is a half-game ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans, who are holding the 10th and final spot. They are only two games clear of the 11th place San Antonio Spurs, who beat them just last week in a head-to-head matchup.
The Lakers will have to earn their spot in the Play-In Tournament, which will not be easy. The teams atop the Western Conference would like to see Los Angeles miss as well. Going up against a LeBron James-led team, even one as down as the Lakers will never be an easy task.
Once the Los Angeles Lakers wrap this season up, they will look to quickly put it behind them and get working on a plan to return to prominence. This current roster isn’t close to contending, but there are some avenues to go down to improve things.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 1 Offseason Target For Los Angeles Lakers To Already Be Targeting
Trading Russell Westbrook is one of them. Even breaking his salary up amongst multiple players, which could result in taking back future salary, would help restock a rotation that lost numerous pieces to acquire him.
One player that the Lakers should look into acquiring this offseason is Buddy Hield. It would be the second time in as many offseason they work on a deal to acquire him, but hopefully this time around, they get the job done.
It was widely believed that Heild was heading to the Lakes in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and a 2021 first-round pick last offseason. However, at the last minute, Rob Pelinka pivoted to a deal that brought Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 1 Offseason Target For Los Angeles Lakers To Already Be Targeting
That ill-fated deal is what set into motion the disaster that followed during the 2021-22 season. This offseason, Hield could once again be available.
The Indiana Pacers have Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, and Malcolm Brogdon to hold down the backcourt, with T.J. McConnell returning from injury. Hield could be expendable and the Lakers should check in on his availability.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 1 Offseason Target For Los Angeles Lakers To Already Be Targeting
Buddy Hield is a perfect fit in a lineup alongside James and Anthony Davis because of his 3-point shooting prowess. Hield is in the midst of the worst 3-point shooting season of his career, making only 36.3 percent, but he is a high-volume shooter that would benefit from plenty of open looks generated by James.
While not on the same level as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as a defender, Hield has the skill set to fill a similar role on the Los Angeles Lakers. Caldwell-Pope was a 3-and-D player for the Lakers, something Hield would likely be asked to do. Defense may not be his strong suit, but he has the size to at least be disruptive on that end of the court.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 1 Offseason Target For Los Angeles Lakers To Already Be Targeting
Packaging Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn would almost amount to the necessary salary the Los Angeles Lakers need to part with to take on Buddy Hield. They would need to slash $1.6 million more off their roster, which can be attained by including another minimum-salary player in the deal.
