Report: Los Angeles Lakers Add Game-Changer to Trade Negotiations

The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to rebuild the roster and it looks like Rob Pelinka has a few targets on his list. Initial reports suggest that the Lakers will soon engage in trade negotiations with the Sacramento Kings.

The front office has shown interest in Kings sharpshooter Buddy Hield. He is an excellent player and yes, he is a good fit for the Lakers.

Kevin O’Connor from The Ringer reported that the Lakers will put their No.22 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Montrezl Harrell, and Kyle Kuzma/Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the trade board. They are serious about Hield.

“Multiple reports have indicated that the Lakers are interested in a deal for Buddy, and with fewer than 24 hours until the 2021 draft, multiple league sources say Los Angeles has stepped up their efforts by adding the no. 22 pick to a deal that’d include Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope,” O’Connor wrote. “Hield to L.A. now has real traction, which would give the Lakers what they need: shooting.”

Lakers take trade negotiations seriously

The Lakers gave up on several big picks to get Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019. In other words, they don’t have much draft assets to use on someone like Westbrook or Beal in the near future.

But, this year’s first-round pick is valuable. LA doesn’t have much to offer in trade negotiations.

Kuzma struggled on the field last season and his inconsistent performance made people ask questions about his future with the Lakers. He has yet to hit his prime and NBA teams can get the best of him. The 26-year-old averages 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. LA have offered their young player in negotiations for Hield. Adding their draft pick makes us believe that they are serious about it. We have at least one good reason to believe that LA will try to get Hield in the near future.

Hield is averaging 16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 40.6 percent from the field and 39.1% from distance in the 2020-21 NBA season.