Of all the trade and free agent scenarios the Lakers are rumored to be considering, a deal with the Kings for Buddy Hield seems to be the “most promising” so far, a source tells Sam Amick of The Athletic.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Hield is the Lakers’ top target this offseason, but it indicates that a trade with the Kings is a more realistic option for L.A. than acquiring a higher-level player like Chris Paul or Kyle Lowry, given the team’s cap constraints. A Hield trade would involve Kyle Kuzma and may require Montrezl Harrell to exercise his $9.7MM player option in order to be included in the package, writes Amick.
Here’s more on Hield, along with a few other tidbits from Amick related to free agency and the trade market:
- The Lakers aren’t the only team with some interest in Hield. A source with knowledge of the trade discussions tells Amick that the Sixers have also displayed interest in the veteran sharpshooter (unrelated to a Ben Simmons deal), and other teams are believed to have talked to the Kings about him as well. Amick believes Hield is a good candidate to be on the move this summer.
- It looks increasingly likely that the Sixers will move Simmons will this offseason, according to Amick, who says one source identified the Heat, Raptors, and Wizards as some of the most likely landing spots for Simmons. Washington would probably only be a realistic trade partner if Bradley Beal is in play, however. Meanwhile, Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com expresses skepticism that any deal sending Simmons to Miami would be a good fit for both the Heat and Sixers.
- Sources tell Amick that Damian Lillard is expected to continue focusing on earning gold with Team USA for the time being and will reassess the Trail Blazers‘ roster later in the offseason before making any decisions about his future.
Please we do not want Simmons in Miami. Bam and Jimmy are star defensive players. We need a scorer like Beal or Lillard. Unfortunately I do not think we have the assets to acquire either guy. Lowry seems like the most logical fit (althoigh I wouldn’t give him more than 2 years on a contract).
Here I’ll make you a deal
Ben and a cheesesteak for Jimmy?
I was so angry when we gave him up.
I really wanted to keep Jimmy instead of Harris. He didn’t want to stay so I guess we kept what we could. Jimmy would have taken us further in the playoffs this year for sure. Probably would have seen more of Rachel Nichols too.
Jimmy didn’t want to stay because of Brown. We absolutely got the wrong outcome with keeping BB and Harris.
It’s okay. Miami has nothing to trade for Simmons anyways. They have two good players on the roster.
This is the first time I knew
Teams offer nothing for a 25 years old all star
Teams offer Negative value for young all star
Wolves offer Beasley and Rubio for Simmons
In my opinion
To acquire Lowry
Unlikely because of SNT
Mavs, 76ers and Lakers
Likely because of big salary cap
Pelicans
Knicks
If Lowry wants to go to a contender, it certainly would not be the Pelicans and probably not the Knicks. Just making the playoffs in a very weak Eastern Conference and getting rolled over early does not mean the Knicks are close to being realistic contenders. I highly doubt either of those teams is a likely destination for Lowry. I think his goals are influenced by more than money at this point in his career.
The Knicks will never be a contender! 48 years Knick Fans!
If Simmons is traded to Washington it will be for Westbrook, not Beal.
I will gladly take that bet
Id much rather have Russ than a guy afraid to dunk in playoffs.
Miami has nothing of value to offer.
All 3 teams won’t offer much for Simmons
Heat
Raptors
Wizards
You can leave out the “3” in your post and it’s still accurate.
I’d rather the raptors go after lonzo ball instead of Simmons. Hed be a lot cheaper and ball actually works on his shot.
Lonzo is free of charge, you don’t give up anything
For Simmons, 76ers want 4th pick
Lonzo is a RFA, so unless you are breaking the bank or doing a sign and trade…either way he ain’t free of charge
Unless he already told the Blazers what his decision is, he is being a major douche not making a decision until after the draft. No one can prepare making the process harder. Just make a damned decision already
If you’re talking about the Lillard making his decision, the Blazers have no draft pick this year. So your point is irrelevant.
Ummm they would get picks not give. And if he doesn’t make a decision until after the draft then they lose the chance to draft this year which is supposedly one of the deepest drafts
Blazers not having a pick is irrelevant
Ummmm if you currently resided on planet earth, you’d realize the Blazers would not trade Lillard for just picks. If he actually decided to request a trade, they would only trade for another superstar. They’re not going full rebuild. They still would have playoff team with the current roster, plus a different Top 10 player.
There is no way on God’s green earth that the Blazers would take the number one pick for Lillard. This draft doesn’t have a sure fire generational can’t miss talent in it, while it may be overall a deep draft.
This is truly a disgusting example of how the media can create controversy. Lillard hasn’t uttered a word this offseason about demanding a trade or wanting out of Portland. The media SPECULATED that because of their poor postseason and new coach that he MIGHT want out. It’s unfair that Lillard has to then go thru all these questions and make believe trade scenarios. Now… when he DOESN’T choose to discuss the subject, after already denying them, he catches flack from fans. Not cool.
Lilliard has said he will reassess. Therefore he is deciding and now he is putting it off
Man is out there on a completely different continent trying to represent the US in the Olympics and we’re complaining about him not making a decision on his domestic future? He could make a decision right now and then the blowback would be “Lillard isn’t focused on the Olympics, he’s only worried about himself right now”.
He knew this was coming well before the olympics
Buddy is a good fit in LA. But isn’t Kuzma and Harrell too much. They giving away Buddy just last yr.
When Lebron gets his guys paid, that salary has to go too to make room for his new guys. You think JR Smith sends dividends to Lebron quarterly or monthly?