The Los Angeles Lakers had the opportunity to acquire Buddy Hield from the Sacramento Kings one year ago. They passed.
Instead, the front office went out and added Russell Westbrook – who has been an unmitigated disaster on and off the court.
This summer, L.A. seems intent on righting that wrong. Intense conversations have occurred between the Lakers and Hield’s new team, the Indiana Pacers, around a possible deal for him.
To date, nothing has materialized.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers’ last trade offer for Hield centered around Talen Horton-Tucker and at least one of their upcoming first round picks.
“Indiana would be expected to buy Westbrook out if such a trade came to fruition … which is another likely obstacle because buying out such a big salary is hardly the norm for Pacers owner Herb Simon,” Stein wrote.
“It is likewise believed that the teams have discussed a deal focused on Hield, without [Myles] Turner involved, that would still require the Lakers to furnish draft compensation to Indiana’s liking as part of a package centered around Talen Horton-Tucker.”
Last season the Lakers ranked 17th in three-point attempts, 18th in three-pointers made and 22nd in three-point percentage. The team desperately needs help in this area. Hield, a knockdown sharpshooter, would be very beneficial.
But clearly the Pacers have all the leverage here.
There are two teams besides Indiana willing to take Westbrook off the Lakers’ hands – but the asking price is roughly the same.
Westbrook has been terrible in L.A. The former league MVP has beefed with fans, gone after coaches and even experienced intense tension with teammates.
Yikes. https://t.co/cpTRQbxYKE
— Game 7 (@game7__) July 26, 2022
A change needs to happen.
Will the Pacers be the ones to take this albatross off the Lakers?
Time will tell.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
