With the NBA at a relative standstill, teams are still doing work behind the scenes. While the rest of the league waits to see where Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be traded, if they are, the Los Angeles Lakers are still keeping their options open. One potential trade target for them that has surfaced is Indiana Pacers veteran shooting guard Buddy Hield.
Of course, everyone will remember that Hield was nearly traded to the Lakers last offseason. Instead, Rob Pelinka opted to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.
Hield has been very much available this offseason. The Pacers are heading into a rebuild, and while they wouldn’t mind keeping Hield, they are open to the possibility of a deal.
One NBA executive spoke to NBA Analysis Network and views acquiring Hield being an ideal fit for Los Angeles.
“Buddy Hield was a former Rob Pelinka client. He’s got to trust any player he’s acquiring in a trade with how depleted their assets are. I think there’s value in that connection. His shooting would fit nicely with LeBron and AD. Buddy surprised people with his playmaking after the Pacers trade. I think he’d bring a few helpful things without a doubt.”
There is no question that Hield would be a great fit right off the bat for the Lakers. He would bring elite three-point shooting, which was a major area of need for L.A. last season. With the loss of Malik Monk, the Lakers could use some help in the scoring department in their back-court.
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During the 26 games that Hield played with the Pacers following the big Domantas Sabonis for Tyrese Haliburton blockbuster trade, he averaged 18.2 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 0.9 steals. He shot 44.7 percent from the floor and knocked down 36.2 percent of his three-point attempts.
Clearly, he would be the kind of impact player that the Lakers need. Los Angeles has been involved in heavy trade discussions for Irving, but right now that deal doesn’t appear terribly likely. Pivoting to a target like Hield would signal an end to the Irving talks, but could be a very valuable addition.
Expect to hear more NBA rumors and rumblings coming out of Los Angeles. The Lakers are clearly looking to make a sizable move and Buddy Hield being acquired from the Pacers could end up being that move.
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