Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Malik Beasley, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL) 

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield 

With that said, the Lakers had a lot of decisions to make that summer. 

They’d suffered a disappointing first-round exit to follow up a championship run. Changes were needed. Unfortunately, they only had the assets to make one. 

The Lakers needed shooting around LeBron James. They also needed another ball-handler to ease his playmaking burden. It was only a matter of which concern to prioritize. 

They chose the latter. Unfortunately, Westbrook’s poor shooting chose to be a problem of his own.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates      

Now, he’s gone, and D’Angelo Russell is in his place. The fit is better. 

Would adding Hield make the Lakers even stronger?