Lakers rumors: DeMar DeRozan vs. Buddy Hield, who is better for LA?
By Jason Reed
Buddy Hield’s advantages over DeMar DeRozan:
Three-point shooting:
Perhaps the biggest advantage that Buddy Hield has over DeMar DeRozan is his three-point shooting. Hield is a far more efficient three-point shooter than DeRozan, making 39.1% of his threes last season compared to 25.7% of the threes DeRozan made.
That is a painfully low number for DeRozan as Hield is simply the much better shooter from long range. Not only is he a better threat as an off-ball shooter but he is a better shot creator as well, even when we get inside the three-point line.
This, in turn, also makes Hield a much more effective scorer overall. Effective field goal percentage takes into account the fact that threes are worth more than twos which are worth more than free throws. Hield’s eFG% is a solid 54.8%, DeRozan’s is 50.5% (lower than Kyle Kuzma).
You could make the case that this is the biggest advantage that either player has over each other. To be honest, it is the only basketball advantage that Hield has over DeRozan but it is so large and so important in today’s game that it could shift the balance in his favor.
Contract situation:
Buddy Hield is already under contract for three more years while the Lakers would likely have to agree to a four-year deal with DeRozan. That may seem like an advantage for DeRozan, but with Hield being younger, this is an advantage for the Kings’ two-guard.
There is less potential of Hield’s contract being really ugly at the end and keeps the door open for the Lakers to potentially flip Hield into something even bigger later in his Lakers’ tenure. That same possibility likely won’t exist with DeRozan.
He is a Rob Pelinka client
This has nothing to do with basketball itself but the fact that Hield was represented by Rob Pelinka before he became the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers only makes it more likely that Pelinka will trade for him.
Perhaps Pelinka can sign some other former clients of his and the 2021-22 Lakers can be a blend of Klutch and Pelinka clients.