According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers have discussed a trade that would send guard Buddy Hield to LA in exchange for forward Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma is an interesting target for the Kings and someone who has been linked to the team since the Vlade Divac era. Despite the fact that he’s never developed into a true stretch-4, Kuzma has established his place in the league as a switchable defender in space and as a smart cutter away from the ball. There are legitimate questions about his shot selection and efficiency on the offensive end, and those issues may be exacerbated when playing away from superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. If Kuzma came to Sacramento, Luke Walton, the coaching staff, and even De’Aaron Fox would need to ensure that he was getting his shots, without giving into Kuzma’s belief that he can be a number one or number two option on the offensive end of the floor.
From the Lakers perspective, Hield is the exact sort of upgrade that they should be seeking with their limited assets. Los Angeles made just 29.9% of their three-point attempts in the playoffs, ranking 15th of the 16 teams involved, and outside of James and Davis, their roster sports no one who can carry the offensive load for any serious stretch. Buddy would solve their issues from behind the arc, while also acting as a relief valve on offense for LA’s stars.
Perhaps the most daunting obstacle in a deal being consummated isn’t the players or their individual fit, but their difference in salaries. Kuzma’s $13 million deal doesn’t come close to that of Hield’s massive contact, meaning the Lakers would need to include an additional player, likely guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or big man Montrezl Harrel. Either player would bring value to a roster such as Sacramento’s, as KCP would give the Kings wing depth and a boost of defense, while Harrel could act as a lower-tier replacement for Richaun Holmes if he leaves. And even if Holmes weren’t to depart, bringing Harrel’s pick-and-roll dynamism off of the bench would be a massive upgrade. However, the Lakers don’t have much depth themselves, so including another high-minute role player may be too large of an ask.
Of course, the days leading up to the draft are filled with rumors, some close to true and some out-of-this-world insane, but this report feels closer to the former. Both teams have shopped these individuals for quite awhile, and both players would provide real value to their new team. This isn’t the sort of sexy, huge deal that would push the Kings to the playoffs in and of itself, but getting younger, shedding long-term salary, and adding a defensive presence may be a savvy move on the part of Monte McNair.
Despite my inherent hatred towards all Lakers, I think it’s a no brainer. Many of the criticisms of Kuz (questionable shot selection, overestimation of his role in the offense, etc) absolutely already apply to Buddy.
He’s younger, a better defender, and helps balance the roster at least a bit, particularly if Marvin and Holmes are on the way out.
Of course for all the reasons you mentioned and more. Unfortunately I think this is one of those D-tease articles.
I’m on board, I like Buddy but the Kings need for find another fit for this team. Unfortunately this doesn’t look like it opens up enough cap room to retain Holmes.
Hard to not like a Kuzma + Harrell for Buddy swap. I’m not a fan of Kuzma’s game, but he’s a semi-talented wing scorer coming into his prime for a reasonable salary and we’d gain some fire and nastiness with Harrell (one of the things the Kings really lack in my opinion), plus get rid of a player who can’t accept a bench role and is a definite minus on defense.
I think if it is just Kuzma and spare parts (cash considerations), it’s a big meh.
If KCP or Harrel are attached it becomes more interesting.
I just have a hard time seeing a player like Kuzma showing restraint with his shot selection on a Walton-coached team.
Yes. Kuzma isn’t really anything but a bench guy if you want to build a contender, which the Kings obviously don’t. And Harrell is an atrocious defender. There’s a reason Clippers gave him the boot and Lakers don’t want him.
Neither of these guys improves/helps Kings build. But again, Vivek amd Co are too stupid to realize they aren’t a piece away.
I agree on Kuzma and Harrel, they don’t move the needle. I’m surprised most commenters are for this trade.
Buddy doesn’t move the needle either, and the deal cuts long term salary and opens up spots to deal Barnes, Bagley and picks for actual talent and letting Holmes walk (which is still a failure on the part of the front office).
I’m not necessarily for this method, but the Kings have painted themselves into a corner where this is the only option to get better.
It doesn’t cut that much salary. Assuming it’s Harrell and Kuzma for Hield, you’re looking at 3 years 62,507,840$$ for Buddy.
Kuzma you have 3 years and 39 million total, and Harrell you have a year left at 9,720,900. That’s 14 million total over 3 seasons….and there’s not that much benefit there.
You’re doing this deal to get Buddy off the roster and see if Kuzma and Harrell work better. IMO. It’s not much about the savings, and if it is the people writing the checks really need to sell.
But Harrell can op out right? That will save the Kings 10 million dollars.
He would have to opt in in order to be traded.
$8 million in 22-23 and $6 million in 23-24. If that’s your only space, then sure it isn’t doing much for you, but if that’s *additional* space, then that may be helpful. The difference between an $8 million player and a $16 million player may be a lot. You’re not likely to recover all the space in one go.
I don’t see what a trade that doesn’t do much for you is about saving a few dollars. You save even less money trading for Kuzma + KCP. I don’t really get the point of this as anything other than it’s a trade to move Buddy Hield off the roster.
I’m not sure I do that because I don’t love Kyle Kuzma.
It’s not about saving a few dollars. It’s about giving you an opportunity to acquire a player starting in 22-23 that you can’t today.
I think Kuzma stinks, but Hield frankly isn’t a lot better.
Agreed. Kuzma is whatever. Straight up, player to player, I think I’d still rather have Buddy.
Maybe it makes it easier to turn around and move these separate deals, but these guys aren’t high level assets at their salary, so not sure how much that helps.
Meh.
That kinda flexibility sure would be nice with Holmes right about now or bogi last year. Salary cap does matter.
Gee, I wish I had thought of this. Thanks for the heads up!
So are the only acceptable targets guys that are top 8 on a championship team? Honest question.
Walton coaches?
Well, he broke a clipboard once.
He broke an almost promising offensive team too
I’d do it just to get smaller and more movable parts. Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope is the only trade that makes sense, but I don’t think Buddy is worth that much. I doubt the Kings ask for Harrell as he has a PO that he’s almost certainly opt out of if he were sent to the Kings.
I don’t get it from a Lakers perspective. Caldwell-Pope is a poor-man’s Buddy, but is also half the price. I think they’d prefer to move Kuzma for a playmaking guard. A S&T for Lonzo Ball makes a lot more sense for them.
Same.
Maybe there is some pride involved. Are you going to sign a trade for Ball when they give him up the first time? Does he want to be back on the team?
The only way the Kings could trade for Harrell is if he had already picked up his option. As it stands now, until Harrell picks up his option, the Lakers cannot trade Harrell until that is resolved. Players with player options are treated as FA’s until their option status is resolved.
If Holmes is worth $15 million, Harrell should opt out.
Totally. The only reason I see him not opting out is to stay with the Lakers and hoping for a title. He signed with them on a discount for that very reason.
Than this means Harrell wouldn’t be coming to the Kings. And it makes it even less of an attractive trade for Sac than it already is if Harrell is included.
Agree that the only way it makes sense for the Kings is to reduce long term salary. Trading for Kuzma for basketball reasons is like retaining Luke Walton for the same reason.
Worth is determined by what’s on the paper, and nothing else. Like it or not, the trade works.
I wonder if we could send Marvin back too. See how well he fares trying to pull the alpha card on a LeBron team with their local and national media spotlight.
If a karma is a B, this will happen.
I think Marvin and his daddy deserve to be in a major market as well. Too many wins in LA though. Put him in New York where his defensive prowess and intelligence will really shine bright,
I’d love to see him try to pull his bullshit with LeBron. I’d take anything from the Lakers for Pervis just to see that.
That is also a very valid point.
Add Bagley and his daddy to the deal for Magic Johnsons old socks.
People fantasize about the strangest things…
The deal as speculated in this piece is Hield for Kuzma + other salary, with the last piece being the tricky part. So you’d like to throw in Bagley at $11 million because that helps, how?
Any other contracts that you don’t like that we can throw in, creating such a discrepancy that the Lakers would need to add Lebron as a sweetener to get the salaries to match?
Andy, I enjoy reading your posts. I like the different takes you bring sometimes.
This was meant as a joke. I’m fully aware that player salaries, cap restrictions, etc would prevent such a deal from happening. It was intended as snark on the part of Marvin’s diva attitude. No one told me when we moved over here every post should clear the trade machine, a polygraph, and get the CBO’s approval.
Besides, in terms of fantasies, I’d call this pretty tame compared to the skeeviness we’ve occasionally seen pop up in the past around Kayte and others, etc.
Too true, the skeeviness is plentiful, and your post doesn’t get anywhere close to that.
Honestly, as mindless as so much if the Bagley conversation tends to be, I’ll ask your forgiveness in not seeing that yours was meant to be be ridiculous on purpose, and not inadvertently.
All is forgiven. Party on.
Except to whoever downvoted me, probably for the skeeve callout.
I don’t like Kuzma as a player even a little, but if there’s signficant long term salary savings to be had, I’m on board. It gives McNair room to maneuver in the future, and though Kuzma is a downgrade even from pre-2021 Barnes, it lets the team move Barnes and the #9 for some talent, with at least having a warm body in his rotation spot.
The only way I’m ok with this is if McNair is being allowed to get and trade assets.
Man I love watching Harrel. Sure he won’t move the needle but he’s a fun player to watch.
I can’t imagine Harrel would be coming back, but it would save McNair from some criticism of throwing away Holmes if he does. Plus it creates 1-2 wins per year from Harrel not demolishing the Kings from whatever team he’s on at the time.
For the two hundredth time, please explain to me how having a boxed-in salary cap situation, and a current contract which maxes out what Sacramento can offer to Holmes is throwing him away?
The only way your argument even sniffs at reality is if Holmes ends up elsewhere for the same or less than what Sacramento can offer. Do you feel that’s a possibility?
A great example of this is Rudy Gay. He hated the org to the point where he left money on the table. Understandably so, in his case.
This is not the case with Holmes.
Kuzma has shown flashes. He looks like a talented dude one minute and an non-entity the next. Change of scenery might help.
Well, he is from Michigan, and some LA writer said Sacramento is the Midwest of California, so it’s almost like a homecoming!
Pass.
I’d be happy with this. I haven’t watched Kuzma much at all, but if he is a solid defender and can move smartly without the ball, he could mesh well with a Fox-Hali backcourt. Shot selection issues might be minimized by playing with smart distributors who can get him the ball in the right spots. More than anything, this team needs to get smarter, and Kuzma is almost certainly a higher BBIQ player than Hield. Sounds like a no-brainer overall.
I’ve honestly never seen Kuzma and BBIQ used in the same sentence. Is it really that much higher?
should kings try trading for Cavs Jarret Allen since Holmes is probably gone and Cavs draft another C in Evan Mobley
Allen is going to be expensive. Both in terms of contract and trade cost, I suspect.
Raptors interested in Allen. Makes sense. They would waive Boucher.
and this keeps them away from Holmes
Why would they waive Boucher?
If they have to free up space, they might have to waive Boucher to accomplish signing Jarrett Allen in FA.
But Boucher is a good player on a team-friendly deal. Teams don’t just waive guys like that.
You are a very kind blogger. Where people come up with these things is beyond me.
Just making a point. I wouldn’t waive Boucher to sign Allen either.
I’ve lost some love for Buddy, but I think I’d still rather have him than Kuzma. Just need to get a different coach!
Guessing that Kuzma is someone that Walton is asking for. I’d hate that L*kers fans would have felt like they jettisoned two people they didn’t want in LA off to Sacramento.
I think we need to separate our emotions from the decision. I think this is a good trade. If Harrell leaves, we can save $10 million, maybe enough to resign Holmes. But even if not, Kuzma’s contract is a lot better than then Hield.
Hmm, if there is a way to resign Holmes then count me in!
More likely if Harrell is included, it’s specifically so he opts in and the team doesn’t commit long term salary to Holmes or that spot.
Not sure how this works. Holmes won’t sign the early bird rights contract- the over the cap one- too low
So Kings need to get under cap to sign Holmes close to his asking price of 18 mill. I had heard that the only way to get under cap was to trade Buddy or Barnes- this “trade” would do that but does it accomplish the cap space room for Holmes at the same time.? Does it require losing rights to match Davis?
Buddy has a unique skill- as I have said for awhile now, there is a team out there who will want him.
I am not a big Kuzma fan
I would not mind the LAL late pick this year.
If could get Kuzma + pick + space to resign Holmes, I would do it since I believe that without a trade Holmes is gone for nothing.
Dont Like Kuzma- but like flexibility.. can we get draft pick too
The only 1st rounder they can trade is 2027, I believe.
Are they not allowed to trade this years 1st? Id want a pick attached to it if it was Kuzma and chips but if they attack kcp then id do it in a heartbeat even if we had to add Marvin so maybe Marvin+Buddy for Kuz Kcp and Harell
Ah, yes. The can on draft day (or after). Not before.
Kings are allowed to trade their 1st before draft day. But they won’t because it makes it harder to trade future 1sts after the draft. You can only trade your 1sts 7 years out and not in consecutive years at that.
Think he’s talking about the Lakers.
But the Kings could trade their 1st before draft day, then trade next year’s after draft day, right?
Ah, yes, that makes far more sense. I didn’t recognize what BHE is saying in this case because in general I prefer to never think about the Lakers.
As far as the Kings trading their pick before draft day, and then taking a future pick after draft day, I would suspect the Stepien rule applies. You traded a future pick in 2021, therefore you can’t trade a future pick (1st round only, the Stepien rule only applies tom1st rounders) until 2023.
HOWEVER, if you wait until AFTER the draft or at least when it’s your turn to take a player, it’s no longer a future pick. And you are free to trade the pick. Therefore you could trade your 1st rounder in 2022 and the Stepien rule doesn’t apply.
In practice, there’s really no way the Kings would trade their pick before the selection due to the inherent volatility of drafting in a range like the Kings are at 9.
So, let’s say for a moment you’re trying to get Ben Simmons. Barnes, Bagley, the 9th pick and the 2022 pick (top 5, 10, lottery protected?) is possible. Technically, if you make the trade after you take the player at 9, you’re not trading away future selections.
I could see that Simmons scenario being in play. But we’ll see.
they have a late first this year. I think that they may have to ‘trade” the pick after the draft
Not really a fan of Kuz but I think it’s a good return for Buddy so I pull the trigger. Particularly if it’s Kuz + Montrezl.
If it’s KCP and Kuzma I call up Boston and try to flip Barnes and Bagley for Marcus Smart and filler
I think the team would be rounded out and have more of a defensive identity with these additions.
There are some Lakers fans out there floating Hield + 39 for Kuz + Harrell + 22.
Kings take that, right?
And not think twice. Hard to believe that deal was actually on the table though. If that were the case I think we’d be talking about a trade that happened and not a rumor
And if Harrell chose to decline his Player Option, that would free up cash for Holmes. So they would be getting Kuzma, cash to maybe re-sign Holmes, and 22nd for the 39th. I am no GM, but I think I take that with the quickness
I am no GM either but this sounds fine There are players at 22. Trey Murphy who Kings worked out .and Springer and Butler
Too high maybe at 22, maybe not, but Josh Primo is going to be a player with proper development.
Not that I think it’s reall, but Lakers can’t make that trade until draft day.
Voting not real. If Harrell is included at all, the first round pick isn’t.
Ehhh, Harrell isn’t very good. I don’t think he has much, if any, value beyond salary filler.
Harrell has plenty of value to the Kings as cover for letting Holmes go for nothing and filling his spot, even if he’s a downgrade.
Unless Harrell opts in sooner, that trade can’t be made until the Moratorium is lifted in August.
And that’s assuming Harrell is okay coming to Sacramento in the 1st place. That’s likely the largest issue here.
Harrell seemed very frustrated at so few minutes in the playoffs, and commented so on social media. He might not love being a Laker without a defined role.
I do see this being possible.
You’re correct, that deal is not on the table. It will be the steal of the century for the Kings. We’re going to hear a lot of BS like this leading up to draft day and a few weeks beyond. Don’t Bite.
I probably would. But, you know, it’s a fan suggestion. No idea if it has any basis in reality.
Nice return for Hield imo
I would do that theres a lot of nice talent at pick 22. I Wonder if they can even trade Harell pryor to him accepting his po. Even so if Harell become a filler and leaves Kuz+ this year’s 22 is a great return for Buddy +39. This draft is gonna be fun with so many teams looking to trade up and down or simply trade out for established players, no way OKC keeps all their picks and the Warriors with 2 lottery picks painting be a busy, trade happy draft day!
Me! Me! Me! Yes, do it!
“If Kuzma came to Sacramento, Luke Walton, the coaching staff, and even De’Aaron Fox would need to ensure that he was getting his shots, without giving into Kuzma’s belief that he can be a number one or number two option on the offensive end of the floor.”
Sounds like trading one problem for another.
True, but still worth it. Kuzma is a solid defender and a smarter player than Hield. Also much cheaper. Easier to move if he doesn’t mesh.
Kuzma is nowhere near a solid defender. Kuzma is a better defender than Hield though. One thing for sure, the Lakers (Lebron in particular) want him out. Kuzma’s confidence was shot in the playoffs, and was shying away from the ball. Kuzma probably wants out as well and doesn’t want to play with Lebron.
I was skeptical of the idea the Kuzma is a solid defender as well. My guess is he shows up and reverts more or less to the mean Kings defender.
I based the “solid defender” comment purely on what was stated in the post. My knowledge of Kuzma is limited entirely to TKH commentary because I refuse to watch the Lakers on principle, unless it’s highlights of them losing to the Kangz.
That’s a roundabout way of saying that you’ve not seen any Lakers highlights since the mid-eighties.
Kuzma’s never struck me as an especially heady player.
Buddy’s the better basketball player, but the trade evaluation would come down to how well Kuzma balances out the roster (and the $$$ savings).
And Buddy is a heady player. He’s close to the worst team defender in the league. Kuzma can defend some and that in itself is a plus for the kings.
You’ll need to show your work on this one:
I think Buddy is better at both ends of the floor, significantly so at the offensive end.
I have said all along- despite Kings haters dislike of Buddy, he does have a unique skill that is valued. They don’t have to let him dribble and will try to hide him on D but he can help them quite a bit and he can help NOP
His points and 3’s have to be not really “replaced” but compensated for. Does Kuzma help in that regard?
A bidding war for Buddy ?
make them all toss in a pick
What is that unique skill?
or are you devaluating the meaning of the word unique?
Ball-handling
Buddy lost me as a fan when he called the Kings extension offer and “insult” and made the comment, “Name one big free agent that came to Sacramento”. Buddy makes it sound like he was doing Sacramento a favor by coming here. Please Buddy, give it a rest….
And Vlade was the idiot that took the bait.
Would do it if we got draft consideration. L***** want to win another one with LeBron, and Buddy would be an improvement in that regard.
However, unless there are tricks that the realgm trade tracker doesn’t know, it’s hard to make a salary match. Would the kings want kcp and harrrel and Kuzma?
Vlade got Walton after Lebron fired him. Vlade was never able to get his boy Kuzma. Looks like after all these years Vivek might finally complete Vlades grand plan.
Don’t love Kuzma, but don’t hate him either. If that’s the best you can do for moving Buddy Hield, and I would hope it’s not, then you probably do that. At this point it seems that moving Buddy is necessary.
Not sure what people are expecting back for Hield. He is an over glorified spot shooter. It is like people are expecting Beal or McCullum or something.
If Kyle Kuzma is absolutely the best you can do for Buddy Hield, which I doubt, and you know you have to move Buddy, then yeah you probably do that. Absent that, I don’t say yes to this deal. Kuzma doesn’t really do much for the Kings and his problems aren’t any more manageable in Sac than they are in LA.
I’m expecting the Kings can move Buddy Hield for a better return than Kyle Kuzma. What exactly? I’m not sure. I’ll know when I see it, though.
Kings better pull the trigger. Yeah, Kuzma might not be a sexy player but anything that can get rid of Hield’s awful contract is a win in my eyes. KCP/Harrell might not want to play for the Kings, and I am sure we can flip them for another player or pick.
My apologies if someone has likely already posted that I wonder what other deal Monte is working on re Buddy that this may be the teaser rumor floating out there to entice an as yet unknown suitor for Buddy.
Probably nothing to it, but not out of the realm of effective deal making.
This is what I’m hoping for, actually. That it’s a precursor to something better and an actual upgrade for Sacramento.
Not sure how you can get an upgrade out of a player with negative value, but I’d love to see it. I think the best you do is a salary dump, which is more or less what this deal is.
Maybe you don’t deal him. I think the team gets worse with Kuzma.
The only reason Hield is negative value is his contract. Maybe another season off the deal makes his contract more palatable around the league.
But make no mistake, the Lakers would be getting the best player in this deal.
Tell Lakers to throw Rick Fox into the deal.
Then we can flip Fox to ’76ers for Simmons.
And before Rick heads off to Philly, Doug Christie can give him a goodbye “kiss.”
Buddy for Kuzma and S&T for Talen Horton-Tucker would fill a lot of needs.
I’d like this as well, but am not sure a S&T can be packaged into a larger deal that would include Buddy and Kuzma. We need a cap expert to address that one.
Not trying to be snarky, but how does a defensive specialist who can’t shoot outside 10 feet as the third or fourth shooting guard on the team help the Kings?
Kings fans are tired of Buddy. Lakers fans are tired of Kuzma. Both are low end starters. Let’s just get the deal done and all eat a big MEH-burger
I’m more tired of Walton and Buddy would be better with a real coach.
I’m all for this if it comes with harrell or cop. None of these guys really move the needle at all; however, flexibility is really the only way out of this mess vlade created. If we can somehow get the 22 pick out of this that’s a true win in a deep draft. We really need a star to become a championship team, but with Vivek running the show¦.. I guess we will build for the 8th seed around fox and hali. SMH.
Must be tough to navigate this off-season as a relatively new GM who knows the coach stinks and will be out soon.
Kuzma and Harrell for Buddy seems reasonable. Removing a player that is unwilling to come off the bench even when it’s best for the team’s success is a necessity. Kuzma is a decent rotational piece at a position of need (big upgrade over Mo Harkless). Harrell would be on a one year deal and is a productive regular season player that I would be happy to watch ride the bench in a Kings playoff series.
If Monte makes this move, drafts the best wing available at 9, and can trade Bagley for the cap space to re-sign Holmes then Kings should have a team with improved rebounding, defense, and better fit around Fox and Haliburton.
Unless there are real long term savings, I’d rather pass.
Kuzma is not a player who will make a difference. I’d rather put Buddy in the 6th man role and see how he responds.
We already know how he responds to that role.
Kuzma plays a position of need for us compared to Buddy, both are probably near equal in their status as players for their positions, so I’ll take Kuzma on a cheaper deal at a more important position for THIS team.
By what criteria are they “near equal in their status as players for their positions”? Kuzma is…not good.
The $$ matter, but you can’t make this deal straight up – the Kings would be taking on additional salary.
I’d pick a Kuzma motivated to prove himself than a Hield always malcontent and just plain inconsistent. Maybe this could be better for them both.
If Buddy is flipped for Kuz, then we’re drafting Moody or Bouknight (if available) at 9? Wagner becomes a redundancy.
Agree … queston is will we know befopre the draft?
Meh
No way our GM is pawning off Buddy to LAL for Kuzma. Give me a break. He’s not a sap and he’s not betting a turnaround on this flawed never-was gunner. He knows how desperately LAL needs deep shooting around LeBron and Davis. That desperation needs to be exploited or NO deal.
The trade that our GM would agree to, is THT + salary filler (KCP, Harrell). That is the trade.
Why are fans wanting a high volume low effeciency shooter who plays bad defense, all that does is jack with your chemistry. It is not enough it helps to balance your roster, that is too low of a standard to set, a losers mentality.
With Buddy, he got heavy by 10-15 lbs to start last season, he tried to convert to SF to get more minutes, and it inhibited his athleticism and ability to create separation and get to spots. The results were disastrous. The season before he got the 90M, he was a player. He can get back to that level with the LAL (or us as a super 6th man).
As long as he stays lean, close to how he ended the season, and plays the SG exclusively. He would experience a rejuventation with the LAL and I suspect the Lakers FO knows it.
Kuzma needs a fresh start too, but it is disconcerting he want long stretches being a non contributor. Wheres the mental toughness, where’s the talent? He would actually torch SAC then crap the bed against the rest of the league, maybe that schewed the perspective some Kings fans have of him. Kuzma can be decent on the fast break and as a cutter but besides I don’t like anything about his game. He has a too cool aura too that you do not want on your team.
By contrast, Talen Horton Tucker THT shows star quality. If Moody had talent some analysts think, he would be more resembling of THT. Unlike Moody, THT actually makes use of his long wingspan. He’s better in every way, especially shot creation and getting to the rim.
I know LAL do not want to part with THT, but that is the price if they want Buddy, and this is the price our GM will set.
You do realize Horton-Tucker is a RFA, right?
I don’t disagree with what you’ve said here: Hield is a better player than Kuzma.
I think that swapping those two, plus whatever else the Lakers would need to add for balance, doesn’t necessarily make the Kings better, but it does break Hield’s contract into smaller, easier to move pieces. Come next February, Kuzma and his deal could very well be attractive to a contender looking to add a solid rotation piece.
I’m not a fan of Kuzma’s, and do feel that Hield’s strengths are grossly undervalued by many Kings fans, while acknowledging the problems Buddy has. I take a long look at the deal if it’s there, mainly for freeing up about $22 million over then next three seasons, looking strictly at Hield & Kuzma’s deals. KCP has two years left at about what Kuzma makes, so he’s both useful and movable, and Harrell is on his last year, should he opt in.
I don’t think Sacramento could reasonably expect to also get an LA first-rounder out of it, but that would make a pretty good deal much easier to take. As Adamsite pointed out. THT is an RFA, and I’d guess that whatever deal he gets will push him out of reach.
I’m by no means a fan of Kuzma, but the swap would add something that Sacramento needs: A decent defender who moves well without the ball, and can carry the team for stretches.
Picking up KCP or Harrell would absolutely be the icing on the cake.
Agreed, plus addition by subtraction with Buddy leaving.
WOJ is saying the Lakers have offered a combination of Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope to every team in the NBA so I doubt the validity of this Buddy trade unless it is at the top of the Lakers’ offers for him
Let’s do dueling sign & trades with Milwaukee, where they get Holmes, we get Portis, and if there’s too big of a salary gap, they throw in DiVincenzo.
Holmes doesn’t seem like the kind of person that would renege on an agreement.
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