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The LA Lakers have discussed a trade for Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield, according to recent NBA trade rumors. After failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs last season, the LA Lakers are looking to shake things up.
One of the changes that could be expected is a possible trade that ships Kyle Kuzma off to another team. The 26-year-old has not found his footing after five years with the LA Lakers and could be the centerpiece of a package to bring Buddy Hield to Tinseltown.
NBA Trade Rumors: LA Lakers' Kyle Kuzma for Buddy Hield
Based on a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the LA Lakers are looking to add a “third stellar player who provides playmaking and shot creation,” and they have discussed a trade that involves Kuzma going to the Sacramento Kings for Hield.
“The Lakers and Sacramento Kings have discussed a deal centered on guard Buddy Hield, sources tell The Athletic,” Charania wrote. “Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma would be involved in a potential package, per sources. The Lakers have received interest from several teams regarding Kuzma, sources said,” revealed Charania.
Let’s look at 3 reasons why Buddy Hield fits on the LA Lakers roster:
3. Buddy Hield is a true perimeter threat
The potential addition of Buddy Hield would give the LA Lakers a player whom opponents will have to guard on the perimeter. As a career 40.6 percent 3-point shooter, Hield gives the Lakers someone who can open up the middle for their post players and paint scorers, particularly superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The threat of Hield’s 3-point shooting should prevent teams from clogging the middle, thus giving James and Davis more room to operate in the middle. Not only does Hield improve their 3-point production (more on this later), he would also indirectly boost their points in the paint.
Hield gives the LA Lakers a player that teams have to worry about when guarding the Lakers’ All-Star frontcourt. His ability to stick a shot from the outside will cause opposing head coaches headaches trying to figure out how to keep LA from scoring.
2. Another potential 20-point scorer for LA Lakers
Two seasons ago, Buddy Hield averaged 20.7 points per game, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 42.7 percent from 3-point territory. He was the team’s leading scorer at the time, with no one else averaging more than 20 points a night.
As someone who lived primarily on the perimeter with no other legitimate threat, Buddy Hield’s scoring average is more outstanding considering the lack of defensive attention on his teammates. His ability to knock down shots from the outside with regularity gives the LA Lakers another player who can ease some of the offensive burden on the shoulders of James and Davis.
No one from among Dennis Schroder, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell developed into 20-point scorers last season. The closest to that average was Schroder, but he only put up 15.4 points a night.
During a down year last season, Hield posted a 16.6-points-a-game average, which is better than what Schroder was able to post. Can you imagine how many points Hield would average with a creator like James and a post-up player like Davis?
1. Buddy Hield would improve LA Lakers’ 3-point shooting
During the 2020-21 regular season, the LA Lakers ranked 25th in 3-pointers made per game (11.1), 24th in 3-pointers attempted per game (31.2) and 21st in 3-point shooting percentage (35.4%). Their inability to make 3-pointers resulted in the LA Lakers tying the Charlotte Hornets for 22nd in the entire NBA in scoring average (109.5).
Last season alone, Buddy Hield made 39.1 percent of his 3-pointers and made a career-high 282 threes total. He was second only to the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry who made 337. The next highest 3-point total on the Sacramento Kings was 121 which was registered by rookie Tyrese Haliburton.
Buddy Hield’s inclusion on the LA Lakers roster next season would improve their 3-point shooting by leaps and bounds. By comparison, the Lakers' top 3-point makers were Kuzma (137) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (120). Even if you were to combine their output (257), they would still be 25 3-pointers short of Hield’s total for the season.
Additionally, Buddy Hield’s total 3-pointers made last season is 35.4 percent of the LA Lakers’ total. That’s more than one-third of their threes which shows how inept they truly were from beyond the arc last season, and how Hield can be an asset to them next season.
If the LA Lakers want changes, they have to find a way to get Buddy Hield to wear a purple and gold jersey next season.
Also Read: 3 Players the Milwaukee Bucks need to bolster bench in 2021 offseason
