A weekend report indicated that the Lakers and Kings have discussed a potential trade centered around Buddy Hield, and it sounds like those talks may be gaining some momentum.
After Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Hield scenario is the “most promising” of the possible deals the Lakers are pursuing, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer wrote late last night that L.A. has stepped up its efforts to get something done, adding that the talks have gained “real traction.”
According to O’Connor, the Lakers’ offer to the Kings would include the No. 22 pick in tonight’s draft, along with Montrezl Harrell and either Kyle Kuzma or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Harrell technically isn’t eligible to be traded at this point, since he has yet to make a decision on his $9.7MM player option for the 2021/22 season. He’d have to pick up that option to be dealt, so he’ll have to consider several factors — if he opts out, he’d get to choose his next team, but he may not be able to match his option salary, whereas if he opts in, he may immediately be dealt to Sacramento or another team.
As O’Connor outlines, the proposed trade makes some sense for both teams. The Lakers could use a sharpshooter and secondary play-maker on the wing, and Hield certainly fits that bill, having knocked down 4.0 three-pointers per game at a 39.1% clip in 2020/21. His contract is pricey, but not especially unfavorable for a shooter of his caliber — he’s owed $62.5MM over the next three years, and his salary declines each season.
As for the Kings, they still have interest in re-signing center Richaun Holmes, but Holmes is believed to be seeking a four-year, $80MM deal, according to James Ham of NBC Sports California. Armed with only the big man’s Early Bird rights, Sacramento will have a very hard time getting anywhere near that asking price without dumping some salary to create cap space. If the Kings expect to lose Holmes, they could view Harrell as a solid alternative to step into that role of a rim-running center.
O’Connor’s report suggests the Kings would likely prefer Kuzma to Caldwell-Pope as the second player in the deal, but either one would fit into Sacramento’s rotation. Caldwell-Pope could play a three-and-D role, while Kuzma would see minutes at the four. The Kings are reportedly exploring trading Marvin Bagley III, which would open up more playing time in the frontcourt for a player like Kuzma.
The Lakers have shopped Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope to many teams around the NBA this month, per a weekend report. According to J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star (Twitter link), the Pacers, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Jazz, and Knicks are among the teams that have been offered Kuzma in various trade scenarios.
If the Lakers and Kings want to move forward on a deal involving Hield, we can probably expect an agreement to be reached later today so that Sacramento is the team making the No. 22 pick. In that scenario, the deal may not be made official until the new league year begins next week for cap reasons.
How would that work if Harrell says he will opt in and the Lakers make the pick for the Kings, but then he changes his mind before the deadline?
I imagine they’d require Harrell to officially opt in before agreeing to trade him.
Kings should insist on Kuzma, Talen Horton Tucker, and #22.
Kings should bring in Willy Hernangomez and Tony Bradley for center depth if they can’t resign Holmes. And explore big man options for #22
Isiah Todd, Charles Bassey, Day Ron Sharpe, Isiah Jackson.
Not enough salary
At this point I’d rather keep KCP over Kuz, it’s just time to move on from him. He needs a change of scenery and KCP fits better with Bron and AD
I would absolutely choose KCP over Kuzma. I have wanted Kuzma gone for a long time now. His defense is mediocre on rare occasions, but usually just poor in general and his offense is inconsistent. Quite frankly, he seems like a liability too often when he is on the court. I do think he is capable of putting up good offensive numbers, but only on a bad team that uses him as focal point of the offense and likely wouldn’t even contend for a playoff spot.
Great analysis of Kuzma. He shows flashes of brilliance at times, but he’s wildly inconsistent.
On a bad team he’d probably post some good numbers, and he’d at least give fans something to be excited over on one of his ‘on’ nights. He’s not a guy to help you win a title though.
“He’s not a guy to help you win a title though”…. the bubble really that long ago?
Must have been because you’re acting as if a healthy AD and LeBron weren’t the driving force behind that. I don’t remember Kuzma being largely responsible for that.
Kuzma hasn’t shown flashes of brilliance ever.
His rookie season he looked like a guy who if he improved his shooting could be a starting stretch-4
Since then he’s not improved, seems to have lost confidence, and barely qualifies as a solid bench player
Shouldve never traded Lonzo
Kings can do better then Harrell Kuz 22
facts.they should work a trade to get Ben Simmons instead and build the team around him with Haliburton or Fox
Not saying Hield for Simmons couldn’t work, but Philly can also do better than just Buddy for Ben. I think Sac would have to give a pick or another player at least, and maybe even both.
Kings could add bagley too.and maybe 2 2nd rounder.pilly need 2nd rounder to avoid tax
Hield Bagley to Pacers for Turner Lamb Holiday
Kings can target Kispert Wagner at 9
Pacers can target Jones Sengun at 13
Trade idea #2
Magic get Hield and Bagley
Kings get Bamba Harris and #8
Nice idea in theory, but the Kings are rumored to be looking to move #9, so I doubt they’d want another pick in the same range.
Trade #3 before Hayes got arrested but..
Kings trade Hield
Pelicans trade Hayes Hart S&T and #17
Trade #4
Kings trade Hield Barnes Bagley
Mavs trade Green Richardson Powell KP
Harrell, KCP or kuzma, & 22 is a little too much for 1 SG, who has not proven anything. Derozan should be the player that the lakers should propose this kind of trade to!
If 22 has to be added, Lakers should ask for Sac’s 39 in return along with Hield. Otherwise 2 players and the pick seems a bit much for Buddy.
Capwise, LA might be better off without that #22 pick.
Lakers need to save Talon Horton for any sign and trade potentials. He’s the only piece that can incentivize other teams for that