Fansided

Ranking every rumored trade target for the Lakers

By Ian Levy

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 22: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball while being guarded by Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 22, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 22: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball while being guarded by Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 22, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Dec 9, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) dribbles the ball in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers

The original Pacers-Lakers trade rumors over the summer had Hield and Turner heading to the Lakers, with Russell Westbrook and draft compensation headed back to Indiana. Supposedly the sticking point was the Lakers not wanting to include both their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks but at this point, the Pacers might not even be interested if both were on the table. Hield has been phenomenal for the surprising Pacers, averaging 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 38.4 percent from beyond the arc.

His movement shooting and spot-up ability could be a game-changer for the Lakers but the Pacers have Hield under contract for one more season and no pressure to trade him now when he’s thriving and making things easier for their young backcourt — Ty Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.

1. Bojdan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons

Bogdanovic may be the best fit of any of the players on this list but he’s also probably the easiest to assemble a workable deal for. Like Hield, there’s an argument that the Pistons might want to keep him for how much he helps their young players. But the Pistons aren’t nearly as far along in their rebuild as the Pacers and turning Bogdanovic into something like Beverley, Nunn and the 2027 first-round pick is a much cleaner win for Detroit.

Bogdanovic is averaging 21.0 points per game for the Pistons, shooting 43.7 percent from the floor. He’s big and versatile enough to play forward next to LeBron James and has the comfort on and off the ball to work with the starters and help scaffold the second-unit offense with Russell Westbrook. He might not be enough to make the Lakers a contender but he’s probably the biggest difference-maker you can realistically see the Lakers acquiring this season.

THE WHITEBOARD. Subscribe to our NBA daily email newsletter. light

Check out The Step Back for more news, analysis, opinion and unique basketball coverage. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our daily email newsletter, The Whiteboard.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers