Los Angeles Lakers: 3 offseason moves the Lakers could end up regretting
By Jason Reed
1. Trading for Russell Westbrook instead of Buddy Hield
Just minutes before it was reported that the Los Angeles Lakers were trading for Russell Westbrook it was also reported that the team was close to a deal with the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield. Even Kyle Kuzma weighed in after the fact saying that he thought the trade with the Kings was a done deal.
The Lakers trading for Hield would have changed the rest of the offseason and the roster would have looked much different. At the end of the day, though, the team went with Westbrook and will have to live with its decision either way.
This is by no means a prediction that Westbrook is going to flop in LA. In fact, I believe the contrary. All signs are pointing to the Westbrook experiment working in LA and it would be more surprising if it does blow up in the face of the Lakers.
However, it certainly is a possibility as Westbrook succeeding in LA is not as surefire as it was when the team traded for Anthony Davis. If the Westbrook experiment doesn’t end up panning out then Laker fans are going to be left asking what if about Hield.
While Westbrook is a future Hall of Famer and Hield is not even an all-star, Hield seemed to be a more natural fit as an off-ball scorer that could help space the floor for the Lakers. Rob Pelinka obviously thought Westbrook was the better fit and Laker fans better hope he is right.