This proposed trade has the Lakers acquire Buddy Hield.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that has made a number of quality moves in free agency this summer, and they look ready to be a contending team next season. However, they could end up making more moves going forward, that can truly make them the favorite in the Western Conference.
Sometimes, the correct move is to simply make a trade based on fit, and not necessarily try to get a star-level player. This proposed trade would have the Los Angeles Lakers get one of the best 3PT shooters in the league in Buddy Hield in exchange for D’Angelo Russell.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: D’Angelo Russell
There is no doubt that this trade could potentially help the Los Angeles Lakers overall, even though D’Angelo Russell and Buddy Hield are players on a similar tier. Here is why this would be a good deal for both the Lakers and the Indiana Pacers.
The Los Angeles Lakers Land An Elite 3PT Shooter Who Is A Great Fit With Their Superstars
Though D’Angelo Russell is a good player when placed off the ball, it is fair to say that he is far more effective with the ball in his hands, facilitating the offense. The Los Angeles Lakers also have multiple players who can play his position such as Austin Reaves and LeBron James, and the team notably signed Gabe Vincent this summer. There is clearly an excess of ball handlers on the roster. Perhaps the right move for the Los Angeles Lakers would be to try and trade Russell for a better-fitting player who can embrace a full-time off-ball role and excel in it.
Buddy Hield is a player who doesn’t need the ball in his hands and does most of his damage without the ball. This past season, Buddy Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting a blistering 42.5% from 3PT range on 8.5 attempts per game. He is the sort of player that can punish teams for doubling LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and James has historically done well with movement shooters on the roster since his vision allows him to find them consistently.
The main risk for the Los Angeles Lakers in this scenario is essentially that they would be giving two years of D’Angelo Russell for Buddy Hield’s expiring contract. Even if Hield is a better fit for the franchise, the gap between the two in that regard might not be worth moving off Russell in some people’s perspective.
With that being said, there is also a good chance that Buddy Hield will remain with the franchise long-term as long as he gets a fair contract from the Los Angeles Lakers. They are located in a big market city, and he would have the chance to be on a competitive team with two superstar-caliber players. For a player like Buddy Hield, who has never made the playoffs, that could be an appealing prospect.
Championships aren’t won without risks, and making this move would definitely be a gamble for the Los Angeles Lakers. Still, it is clear that the team has covered Hield for a long time, and they might be able to get him without giving up a large amount of assets due to his contract situation with the Indiana Pacers.
The Indiana Pacers Get A Dynamic Backcourt Partner For Tyrese Haliburton
The Indiana Pacers seem poised to compete for the playoffs next season. We know that Tyrese Haliburton is an All-Star level player, and the team has other solid pieces, such as Myles Turner and Benedict Mathurin. Since the addition of the play-in tournament, even a team that is the 9th or 10th seed could potentially make the playoffs. Adding D’Angelo Russell could get the team a difference-making player, as he is a dynamic offensive guard.
Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell averaged 17.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Though he would still be the secondary ball handler on the Indiana Pacers, it is still fair to say that he would get more opportunities than if he were to share a lineup with LeBron James and Austin Reaves. In this scenario, the Indiana Pacers would be banking on D’Angelo Russell thriving given increased touches, and helping the team make the playoffs as the No. 2 scoring option behind Tyrese Haliburton.
Getting two years of D’Angelo Russell in exchange for Buddy Hield’s expiring contract would clearly be a good move for the Indiana Pacers. If they re-sign him in 2025 free agency, this deal becomes an absolute coup. Though the Indiana Pacers aren’t exactly located in the biggest market, staying with them could appeal to Russell due to the usage and freedom he would get with the franchise. This could be a good trade for both D’Angelo Russell and the Indiana Pacers, especially since they wouldn’t have to give up a crazy amount to get a player like Russell.
This Could Be A Smart Trade For Both The Lakers And The Pacers
There is no doubt that this deal could be a good move for both the Lakers and the Pacers. The Lakers would get a well-fitting player who can be a good fit with the franchise, and provide insane gravity off the ball. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell can be an intriguing addition to the Pacers and could end up helping the team make the play-in tournament or the playoffs.
It remains to be seen if the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers will end up starting trade talks with this framework. Buddy Hield has been linked with the Lakers plenty of times in the past, and perhaps he could come into play for the team once again in the future.
