Lakers: 4 better trades LA should have made over Russell Westbrook trade

The Los Angeles Lakers could have traded for Buddy Hield or Kyle Lowry

We have already dove in here on Lake Show Life about the possibility of the Los Angeles Lakers trading for both Buddy Hield and Kyle Lowry. Hield does not fit the billing of a player who was traded in the offseason, but there was reportedly almost a deal done.

Kyle Kuzma revealed that he thought he was getting traded to the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield, even saying that the trade was “done”.

Hield obviously is not a point guard and while he is probably the worst player on this list, he probably would have been a better fit than Westbrook. Hield can fit in nicely as a third scorer that shoots off-ball and his salary would have given the team much more flexibility. That does not exist with Westbrook’s deal.

Lowry, on the other hand, was traded in a sign-and-trade to the Miami Heat. All the Toronto Raptors received in that deal was Goran Dragic (who will probably get bought out this season) and Precious Achiuwa, who has been bad this season.

The Lakers could have easily topped that offer to Toronto while making the money work. Of course, there is the possibility that Lowry wanted to go to the Heat instead of the Lakers, but would he have really turned down the chance to contend with LeBron and AD? Probably not.