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Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking down a potential Buddy Hield trade

By Davide Tovani

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense against Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on March 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense against Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on March 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Buddy Hield’s long-term flexibility

The real issue in acquiring Buddy Hield would be the length of his contract. With the first year of four set to kick in next season, the Los Angeles Lakers would have him on the books until 2024.

Rob Pelinka put together a master plan to build a championship roster in the immediate while maintaining flexibility for the summer of 2021, when Giannis Antetokounmpo will be a free agent.

Everyone, besides LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma (still on his rookie-scale contract), was signed on one or two-year deals to make sure that in July 2021 the Lakers would have the necessary cap space to offer Antetokounmpo a max-contract and the chance to join LeBron and AD to form, arguably, the greatest big three ever.

Even Davis will possibly opt-in the final year of his contract, avoiding to sign a long-term deal under a salary cap potentially impacted by the losses caused by the pandemic.

LA could get to the summer of 2021 with only James, Kuzma, and Luol Deng’s contract’s leftover on their books, thus giving them the chance to negotiate a plan to unite James, Davis and the Greek Freak, and build a respectable supporting cast around them.

Hield’s contract would derail all these plans. They would lose their chance to sign Antetokounmpo.

But is it worth waiting for Giannis without guarantees?

LeBron James, despite his unprecedented longevity, is going to be 36 years old when next season starts. His window will eventually start to close. His tenure in Los Angeles is somehow limited. His time is now. Lakers’ time is now.

They just won a championship and, with one of the best teams in the NBA, have a good chance to repeat next year. Is it worthy to waste a potential championship season waiting for something we do not have any guarantee will come?

Although he undeservedly received a superstar contract, in the right environment Hield is a borderline all-star. The locker room and LeBron’s presence could help him to keep his moody character under control and guide him, teaching him how to be a professional and remain focused and under control. He might turn in a fundamental contributor. That third guy many have looked for on LA’s team but no one has ever found.

The Lakers already lost on an immense piece like Jimmy Butler to wait for Kawhi Leonard two summers ago. They must be wise and learn from their mistakes.

At the same time, they did everything possible to get to the next summer prepared for the big move. They planned everything based on that.

They even signed Giannis’ paltry brother Kostas to create a connection with the family, let him learn indirectly what kind of organization they are and how they operate and show him they are willing to accommodate all three brothers on the team.

Wasting these years of planning to add a disgruntled player might be something they regret.

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