Lakers trade rumors: Fact or fiction on 3 linked trade targets
By Jason Reed
Can the Lakers trade for Buddy Hield?
Buddy Hield has been tied to the Los Angeles Lakers longer than he has been a member of the Indiana Pacers. Back before the team made the silly decision to trade for Russell Westbrook, it appeared that Rob Pelinka was gearing up to make a trade for his former client in Hield.
That ultimately did not happen and Hield was eventually lumped into the Domantas Sabonis trade with the Pacers later that season. Fast forward to this previous summer and the most talked-about trade package in the entire NBA was a Westbrook for Hield and Myles Turner package.
That did not happen and now it seems like that ship has completely sailed. The Pacers have been far better than anyone could have expected this season and are pivoting to potentially being buyers. Even if they do not buy, they are certainly not going to sell.
Plus, it would be hard to make this trade work if it was not part of a bigger Westbrook deal. The team could package Beverley, Nunn and other contracts to get Hield alone but it would take a first-round pick to do so. If the Lakers didn’t want to trade two picks for Hield and Turner they won’t trade just one for Hield.
Instead, the Lakers have to turn their focus on finding a discount Hield to go along with the discount Myles Turner that is already on the roster (Thomas Bryant). Luckily, the team does have an intriguing option.
VERDICT: FICTION