The Los Angeles Lakers have made some questionable trades in the past. They made one of the worst trades in recent history in 2021 when they acquired former MVP Russell Westbrook. The move turned out to be a disaster as the team did not even come close to winning a championship in the Westbrook era. But Rob Pelinka was pursuing another player in 2021 that could have changed the fate of LeBron James? team. He wanted to add shooting guard Buddy Hield to the mix to play alongside LeBron and AD. Unfortunately, those rumors never came to life.
2 years after failing to join the Lakers, Buddy Hield might be on the trading block again as the contract negotiations between the Indiana Pacers and Hield have fallen through.
Buddy Hield might no longer play for the Pacers
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Reporter Shams Charania tweeted that the contract negotiations between the Indiana Pacers and Buddy Hield have stalled, and both parties have started a dialogue for a potential trade. Buddy is in the final year of a 4-year $94 million contract, which he signed when he was still in Sacramento. Many teams will be interested in adding Hield to their roster because of his shooting ability. The 30-year-old is one of the most lethal three-point shooters in the league, averaging over 40 percent from beyond the arc throughout his career. His shooting ability was a key reason why Rob Pelinka wanted to sign Hield to the Lakers in 2021. He could have helped King James win another championship in LA.
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The Lakers tried to pursue Buddy Hield again in 2022 after an abysmal first season from Russell Westbrook. Pelinka wanted to trade Westbrook for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner, but the two teams could not reach an agreement.
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Hield?s next destination
After contract negotiations fell through between Hield and the Pacers, fans are wondering where Buddy will play next. He averaged a solid 16.8 points last season, shooting a staggering 42.5 percent from the three-point line. Any team that acquires the 7-year veteran will see a significant improvement in their shooting.
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The 30-year-old does not have a preferred destination if he parts ways with the Pacers. But it will be interesting to see if the Lakers decide to pursue the Shooting Guard again. The Lakers have made some great moves this off-season, re-signing their core players and adding some solid role players to play alongside their two superstars. And the addition of Buddy Hield could get them over the hump. The Lakers are looking to win another championship before LeBron James rides off into the sunset, and they will facilitate any move that can get them closer to their goal.
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