Star Guard Whom LeBron James Snubbed for Russell Westbrook Reportedly on Lakers? Radar

The LA Lakers had a dismal last season. Despite making a slew of splashy off-season additions to fuel the hype train, the Lake Show express fell to pieces well before its intended destination. The franchise was linked to a number of players last season to fill that “third-star void”. The Lakers eventually agreed to a blockbuster trade that brought Russell Westbrook to LA.

Buddy Hield was one of the names on the Lakers’ watch list before they struck the Russ deal. The three-point specialist was still a member of the Sacramento Kings when he was on the Lakers’ radar. However, a 6-player trade with the Indiana Pacers saw him take his talents to The Hoosier State.??

Now, according to the most recent sources, the Lakers are eyeing a move for Buddy Hield yet again.

Last season, the Lakers struggled to convert shots from beyond the arc. They shot only 34% of their three-point attempts, placing them 22nd in the league.

Buddy Hield is known for his lights-out shooting from beyond the arc and is a former winner of the NBA 3-point contest. The Lakers will have to strengthen their 3-point shooting next season, so a human sniper like Buddy Hield can be of great use.

Hield, though, is much more than just a catch-and-shoot guy. Yes, he came into the league as a 3-point shooter, with the rest of his skills being pretty raw. However, as the years have passed, he has started to flourish in the same areas where his progress had previously remained stagnant.

LeBron James and the Lakers passed on Buddy Hield in favor of Russell Westbrook

Last season, all signs pointed towards the Lakers set to acquire Hield. In their quest to form a Big Three, he appeared to be that final piece. However, a last-minute twist concluded in them acquiring Russell Westbrook. According to reports, LeBron James had a major influence in this twist and supposedly snubbed Hield in favor of Brodie.

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LeBron desired to be paired with another playmaker capable of handling the ball and orchestrating the offense. This was a major factor in his decision to go with a ball-dominant player like Westbrook over Buddy Hield.

Westbrook, however, looked a shadow of himself in the Lakers’ game plan. He struggled to establish his foothold in his first year in LA. Eventually, his game took a massive hit, and everyone saw the things he was not good at.

The Lakers now head back to the drawing board yet again after not even making the Play-in tournament. The team hopes to correct their mistake of not acquiring Hield last season. Perhaps a tempting offer from the Lakers might persuade the Pacers to let their guard walk. If this deal goes through, it will undoubtedly fill the offensive void they labored to fill last season.

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How will the Lakers fair this offseason? Let us know in the comments section below.