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Lakers Rumors: Reports claim Lakers interest in a deal for Buddy Hield

By Ronald Agers

March 24, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

Lakers Rumors: It really very simple. Luke Walton likes Kyle Kuzma and Buddy Hield butts heads with him. 

Yes, there were some trollers that thought writer Jonathan Kiernan was crazy when he laid out reasons for the Lakers to trade for Buddy Hield about a month ago…OOPS!

A Kings-Lakers trade would reunite Kyle Kuzma with his first head coach Luke Walton, from whom Kuzma played the first two seasons of his career with a scoring average of 17.3 points per contest. His production during the 2018-19 season, averaging 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game are the numbers the team, fans and Kuzma have been waiting on for the last two seasons.

Kuzma fell out of favor in his fourth NBA season with averages 12.9 points, 6.1 points and 1.9 assists per game. Even after complaints of his role playing behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, teams still see potential for him to take a leap forward in production.

Kuzma has been a favorite of the Kings for a while, regardless of who is running the front office, but now the dynamics have changed. Vlade Divac is gone and Monte McNair has taken over a the lead decision maker. Last year around the trade deadline, Sacramento offered Nemanja Bjelica and a pick for Kyle Kuzma. Rob Pelinka refused and asked for Bogdan Bogdanovic. Bogdan was a favorite of Divac and was turned down.

Then Divac resigned as GM and Bogdanovic left for Atlanta.

Strangely after Buddy Hield signed four-year, $94-million extension with the Kings, his relationship with the Kings started to sour when he was sent to the bench behind Bogdan Bogdanovic. Things got bad enough that Hield requested a trade. Here’s why the deal could go through.

  • Just like Kuzma, Hield’s stock is low given his public displeasure with the team and trade request.
  • He had a down season last year with a scoring average 16.6 points per game which was his lowest total since his sophomore season.
  • Rookie Tyrese Haliburton’s impression as one of the top rookies last season has made Buddy expendable.

With Marvin Bagley III almost surely out the door as well, Kuzma could be his replacement. Bottom line, both players could use a fresh start to resurrect their careers in different uniforms.

Now let’s discuss what Buddy Hield brings to the table as if the majority of Lakers fans don’t know already…

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