The Pacers and Buddy Hield are open to a trade ahead of the season, assuming it makes sense for both sides, per Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
Hield has long been linked to the Lakers, dating back to the summer of 2021, when he was still a member of the Kings. The Lakers opted to trade for Russell Westbrook instead, and despite the positive public vibes today, are still looking to deal Westbrook, as we relayed here.
They very well could look to move Westbrook and revisit talks still before the regular season. Along with Hield, the Lakers are also reportedly interested in Pacers center Myles Turner.
None that comes as any surprise. Nor does the fact Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is still clinging to their next two trade-eligible first-round picks (2027 and ’29). Pelinka is believed to be willing to surrender one, but not both.
Clearly, it would likely take more than the expiring contract of Westbrook and one first-rounder to land Hield or Turner. By all accounts, the Pacers are in no hurry to make a trade.
“The Lakers surely could use Hield’s shooting, durability and veteran savvy, although his defense, handle and current multiyear deal (of more than $40 million over two seasons) raised questions about the fit,” Charania, Amick and Buha reported.
While the Lakers appear to be the most interested, it seems as if the Pacers would also be willing to deal Hield elsewhere — much like the Jazz did when they sent reported Lakers target Bojan Bogdanovic to the Pistons a few weeks back.
As relayed in the report, the Pacers aren’t necessarily looking to trade Hield to the Lakers. They could move him anywhere, or perhaps most likely for the time being, just keep him in Indiana.
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