NBA Rumors: Lakers/Kings Trade Talks

Could the Los Angeles Lakers be admitting, just a bit, that they might have made a mistake passing on the Sacramento Kings' sharpshooter Buddy Hield in the offseason? 

Word today from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports has them offering Talen Horton-Tucker in a package in return for Hield. 

The Lakers have reached out to the Kings about a Talen Horton-Tucker package for Buddy Hield, per @ChrisBHaynes

“Obviously the Kings are like, 'No. We feel like there's more lucrative deals out there.'” pic.twitter.com/zayGHK9xq5

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 28, 2022

“League sources have told me the Lakers have reached out to the Kings about a Talen Horton-Tucker package for Hield," said Haynes on his Posted Up podcast. "Still trying to make that happen."

Are the Kings biting on that? Haynes says, uh, don't think so: “Obviously the Kings are like, 'No. We feel like there's more lucrative deals out there.'”

Last summer, the Lakers were poised to pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal with the Kings, to bring in Buddy Hield, among others, in return for the likes of Kyle Kuzma and more. But at the last minute, they had a change of heart and pivoted to the Russell Westbrook deal with the Washington Wizards. 

With the disappointing season Westbrook and the Lakers have had thus far, many are questioning the rationale of that decision. Could this attempt to pry Hield from the Kings be a make-good attempt by LA?

Photo Credit:  Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports