It seems unlikely that your Los Angeles Lakers will ever acquire sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield, despite years of rumors to the contrary. Hield has been discussed as a component of a larger trade package that the Toronto Raptors are expected to receive in exchange for forward Pascal Siakam. Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic have floated the deal.
While Siakam is on that list, possibly even at the top, the asking price from Toronto is probably too high. The bait offered is believed to be Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown Jr., and one of Indiana’s two first-round picks in the 2024 draft (it has its own and another that is likely via the Oklahoma City Thunder or LA Clippers).” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus continues, “This trade offer is likely going to include Buddy Hield.”
After years of being pursued by the Lakers, who haven’t even been able to find a means to bring him to town, it’s unlikely that Hield will wind up in Los Angeles, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
Given that his contract is about to expire, perhaps the Raptors will buy him out. But for a player with his level of talent, that seems like a pipe dream.
If this trade goes through, the Lakers’ best chance to acquire Hield—should they still desire him—would be to try to work out a deal with Toronto. Alternatively, they could hold off on making a serious run at him in free agency. In any case, the Lakers will always be associated with him as he has been a target for many years. It is hoped that Hield makes it to Los Angeles, where he could assist in addressing this Lakers team’s three-point shooting deficiencies.
