Fansided

Lakers: 3 players the Lakers could actually get for Kyle Kuzma and Talen Tucker-Horton

By Josh Hill

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 25, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 25, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 14: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on April 14, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 14: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on April 14, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1. Buddy Hield

This one is a little complicated and strays further away from ‘realistic’ than warranted for this, but it’s fun and I want to imagine a world where this happens so just come on this alternate reality journey with me. What if the Lakers added one of the best up-and-coming three-point shooters in the league to its roster this offseason?

The Sacramento Bee outlined a potential Ben Simmons trade involving Buddy Hield to the 76ers, although league sources the publication floated the trade to all said it was unlikely.

Similar things could be said about Hield and the Lakers, based on the financials of the deal, but one of the most appealing parts of the deal was Hield-Simmons package was its potential for future financial flexibility.

"Hield, 28, would certainly help the 76ers improve their shooting. He is a career 40.6% 3-point shooter who made more 3-pointers over his first five seasons than any player in NBA history. Hield is entering the second year of a four-year, $86 million contract that will pay him $22.5 million next season. That figure drops to $20.5 million in 2022-23 and $18.6 million in 2023-24."

That all sounds pretty good for the Lakers.

Los Angeles has almost no room to add a huge contract without moving money off its books. Hield carries with him a massive $86 million complication when it comes to getting him to the Lakers, but as the Sacramento Bee points out it’s a deal that gets better over time.

This deal is on par with what Shroder is looking for, so if the Lakers have even come close to entertaining the notion of giving him that offer then they should consider a trade package that lands them Hield.

Sending THT within the division feels a little icky, but the Kings are habitually in a rebuild and there’s a chance Horton-Tucker lands on another team sometime in the future after the Kings flip him for assets. None of that matters if Hield is in L.A. as a key cog in an explosive offense winning titles with LeBron and A.D., though.

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