Buddy Hield has been a personal favorite trade target of mine ever since I started creating content here with Daily Knicks.
Seriously, I’ve written like 5 or 6 trade articles with Buddy Hield’s name in it…because not only do I like the player but it’s been pretty obvious that he’s unhappy where he’s at currently and wants out. It was rumored on Thursday morning that Hield was on his way to the Lakers in exchange for a package of Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma.
With Harrell opt-in, Lakers are able to to move toward completing a deal to acquire Kings guard Buddy Hield for forward Kyle Kuzma and Harrell, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
You’d think if ‘Woj’ drops the bomb, the deal is nearly done. Wrong.
Do you think the NY Knicks should target Buddy Hield via trade?
Shortly thereafter, we get the news that the Lakers have pivoted and instead set their sights on Russell Westbrook instead.
The Lakers are near a deal to acquire Washington's Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2021 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 29, 2021
Now, going into the 2021 NBA Draft, the Kings obviously knew that they were no longer moving Buddy Hield to the Lakers, so they would surely keep that in mind when making their selection with the 9th overall pick, right?
Wrong again.
Even with having De’Aaron Fox and last year’s Knicks target Tyrese Haliburton on the roster alongside Buddy Hield, the Kings STILL drafted Baylor point guard, Davion Mitchell.
With a number of promising younger guards on the roster also vying for playing time in the rotation, it’s pretty evident that somebody’s gotta go.
Monte McNair, Kings GM had this to say when speaking to CBS Sports regarding the off-script drafting of Davion “Off-Night” Mitchell:
"“Best player available and Davion just won a national championship in a three-guard lineup,” McNair said. “One of the best winners, competitors, one of the toughest players, obviously an incredible defender and then on the offensive end, the ability to shoot off the catch, off the dribble, attack the basket, create for others.”Mitchell was a star in the NCAA tournament. Starting alongside guards Jared Butler and MaCio Teague, Mitchell defended the toughest cover all the way through the championship game against Gonzaga."
So it’s obvious that the Kings like the idea of going with a THREE guard lineup…last time I checked, 3 wasn’t 4 so Buddy Hield is being moved one way or another.
Here is the trade I thought up:
Buddy would come in and proved the Knicks with an instant injection of offense and is a player that doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be successful.
I think he would play very well off of guys like Julius Randle and RJ Barrett as a better version of Reggie Bullock from last season.
Just that guy that roams around outside the arc, finds a way to get open as an outlet pass and knocks down 3’s all day.
If he comes here and buys into what the Knicks are doing, I don’t see any reason why Thibs and Co can’t get Buddy back to his 21 points per game on 43% shooting from outside form.