Buddy Hield’s intangibles
Another important factor for the acquisition of Buddy Hield. He doesn’t miss many games. That is a huge factor for the purple and gold that would be an added bonus.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis nearly missing a full season of games between the two of them, having a scorer capable of scoring 20PPG available to play every single night would be ideal for a team that has struggled for a 3rd scorer even when they have made all the right moves in order to get additional scoring.
Hield is a huge step in the right direction.
Hield has improved hugely as a defender. Once considered a defensive liability, the sharpshooter is now considered an average defender that is capable of making plays on defense.
With defensive-minded coaches such as Frank Vogel and Lionel Hollins, they have the ability to help Hield improve as a defender. Vogel has shown over the past two seasons that he is capable of getting the best out of his players defensively.
If Vogel can work with Hield and have him become a plus defender then the Lakers will be in a really strong position going forward.
Buddy Hield has also improved significantly as a playmaker. While he will never be Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook in this regard, he is starting to make the additional pass to his teammates.
While the Lakers will largely be asking Hield to catch and shoot, he will also need to understand the Laker’s way. Pass up a good shot for a great shot. He is more than capable of making the added pass and on a championship roster, it won’t be too hard to get Hield to buy into the Laker’s way.
An added benefit to trading for Buddy Hield is that his contract was front-loaded, meaning that each year his cap hit decreases meaning that the Lakers get additional wiggle room to add to the roster each of the seasons he is on the team. Hields cap hit this past season was $24.9m. His cap hit next season will be $22.9m. In 2023/24, the final year of his deal, Hield will cost the Lakers $19m.
Alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Buddy Hield has the potential to do really well for the purple and gold. The added attention opposing defenders must give to AD and LeBron will give Hield significantly easier shots than he is used to.
It would not be a shock if Hield, on the Lakers was able to average 20+ points a night.
Hield puts the Lakers in a great position to succeed.
Can the Lakers and Kings make a deal? Only time will tell.