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Lakers: 3 reasons why LA should have traded for Buddy Hield instead

By Cameron Salce

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 27: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 27, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Kings defeated the Suns 110-107. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 27: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 27, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Kings defeated the Suns 110-107. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Buddy Hield is a better fit on the Los Angeles Lakers

One of the big reasons why it has been difficult integrating Westbrook into the offense is because he is used to having the ball in his hands for most of the game. He has been somewhat stagnant on offense when he has been forced to play off-ball alongside LeBron and he has not been able to knock down the open jumper when called upon.

That is why it made sense to see him have his best games when LeBron sat out due to injury. Even in the games when he was one of the Lakers’ best players on the floor they still were only able to squeak by the Spurs and lost to the Thunder giving up a 26-point lead to one of the worst teams in the league.

Hield’s game, on the other hand, is more suited to fit alongside a playmaker like LeBron and is predicated on spot-up shooting and working off-ball and around screens to get open for catch and shoot looks. Hield would have given the Lakers another shooter to help space the floor so AD and LeBron can get to the basket for easy looks and have room to drive and kick.

It is no secret that Hield is a better shooter than Westbrook but this year it has been blatantly obvious. So far Westbrook is 5 for 24 for beyond the arc while Hield is 22 for 50 from 3-point range and is second in the league in made threes.

The decision to trade for Westbrook over Hield definitely hurt the Lakers’ overall shooting numbers for this season and that has forced guys like LeBron and Carmelo Anthony into being two of their top jump shooters to start the year.

A goal for this roster was to improve their 3-point and free throw percentage, and even though they are currently top five in 3-point percentage, they currently rank 27th out of 30 in free-throw shooting. Hield is a career 86 percent free-throw shooter. That would instantly make him the best free-throw shooter on the Los Angeles Lakers. AD would never have to shoot and miss a technical foul shot again.

The Lakers did sign players capable of shooting in free agency and one could argue Malik Monk or the injured Wayne Ellington can do a lot of the things that Hield would be doing for them. Yet if they didn’t make the move for Westbrook then maybe they only sign Monk and look for help in other areas like a wing defender to help lock down the perimeter.

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