NBA Trades: 3 trades to save the Los Angeles Lakers season

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings shoots a technical foul shot against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 16, 2022 in Sacramento, California, NBA Trades: 3 trades to save the Los Angeles Lakers season. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

NBA Trades: 3 trades to save the Los Angeles Lakers season – Buddy Hield

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Buddy Hield

Sacramento Kings receive: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Kent Bazemore, DeAndre Jordan, 2027 First Round Pick

The Lakers likely could have avoided most of their problems this season had they just traded for Buddy Hield this past offseason. They reportedly had a deal in place for the sharpshooter before they backed out to pursue Westbrook, which has proven to be a mistake. In this deal, the Lakers could right their wrongs by bringing in the 29-year-old guard before the trade deadline.

Hield has seemingly been available for trade over the past few months, and there is reportedly a “rising belief” that he could be dealt before the deadline, according to Marc Stein (subscription required).

If the guard is indeed still on the market, the Lakers should make another run at him, as he could be just what this team needs right now. Especially if they cannot find a trade partner for Westbrook.

Shooting 40.2 percent from three on 7.6 attempts for his career, Hield has made a living in this league as an outside shooter. Due to the awkward fit between James, Davis, and Westbrook, the team’s spacing has been an issue all season, and adding one of the best marksmen in the league in Hield would undeniably help clean things up.

It is questionable to consider whether Sacramento would accept this deal, but it seems like they have been ready to move on from Hield for quite a while. The Kings may hold some animosity toward their Pacific Division rival as The Athletic’s Bill Oram, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick (subscription required) noted that the Kings were left “steaming” at LA’s decision to back out of their deal for Hield, which was virtually set in stone.

Yet, if the Kings could get a first-round pick, two young pieces in Horton-Tucker and Nunn, along with two expiring contracts, perhaps they could be willing to let bygones be bygones and make the trade.

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