Tag: Buddy Hield

Where does Joe Lunardi project OU Men’s Basketball in his preseason Bracketology?

With the start of the season tonight, where does ESPN’s Joe Lunardi have the Sooners finishing in his preseason Bracketology projections?

A new era of Oklahoma Sooners basketball begins tonight at Lloyd Noble Arena as the Oklahoma Sooners get set to take on the Northwestern State Demons.

Porter Moser takes over for Lon Kruger, who helped the Sooners reach the NCAA Tournament seven times in his 10 seasons at the helm. In 2015-2016, Kruger helped lead the Buddy Hield Oklahoma Sooners to as high as No. 1 in the AP Top 25 and a Final Four appearance.

Moser is coming off an impressive season himself, taking the Loyola (Chicago) to a regular season and tournament conference championship and an elite eight run in the NCAA Tournament.

As the Sooners get set to tip-off, all of the changes have ESPN’s Joe Lunardi skeptical that Oklahoma can return to the NCAA Tournament in the 2021-2022 season. In Lunardi’s first Bracketology of the college basketball season, he has Oklahoma on the outside looking in as one of his first four out.

Of course, these are just the initial tournament projections. The Oklahoma Sooners have a talented team to open the season with a really good coach. Navigating a deep Big 12 conference will be challenging, but Oklahoma made noise last year.

Despite the losses of Austin Reaves (NBA) and Brady Manek (transfer portal), the Sooners restocked with experienced players who should be able to step right in and help lead this team back to the NCAA Tournament. Tanner and Jacob Groves, Jordan Goldwire, Marvin Johnson, and Ethan Chargois have played a lot of minutes in NCAA basketball. Add that group to Umoja Gibson and Elijah Harkless, who were big-time contributors for the Sooners last season, and this team has the makeup to make some noise in the Big 12 and the nation.

It’s an exciting time for Oklahoma Sooners basketball, and it all gets started tonight at 7 p.m. at Lloyd Noble Arena.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Kyle Kuzma explains being ‘shocked’ Lakers traded him to Wizards, not Kings

Kyle Kuzma revealed his thoughts about possibly heading to the Sacramento Kings, only to be quickly traded to the Washington Wizards.

Moments before the Los Angeles Lakers finalized a deal to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, all signs pointed to L.A. making a deal with the Sacramento Kings.

With the Lakers looking to bring more playmaking and shooting, a deal involving Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield seemed to be materializing and in the final stages of completion since L.A. was willing to include its 2021 first-round pick.

But, before both teams could submit the trade, the Wizards jumped in front and offered L.A. Westbrook for a similar package that L.A. would’ve shipped out for Hield.

The finals terms for the Los Angeles-Washington trade saw Westbrook and three future second-round picks come to the Lakers while Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the 2021 first-round pick traveled to the Eastern Conference.

It was a frantic process for the players involved, and Kuzma explained his thoughts as the situation unfolded, via fubo Sports:

“I was kinda shocked because I thought I was going to Sac, like the Sacramento deal with Buddy Hield. That s— was done. So, I’m thinking in my head, ‘Okay, I’m in Sac, 45-minute flight. Not bad. I can go to Napa.’ But then, out of nowhere, you’re going to Washington. But I was super hype, obviously, because it’s a better situation.”

After four seasons with the Lakers, Kuzma gradually developed the tools to be a solid all-around contributor alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Now with Washington, he’s in the mix with several promising wings and forwards, so he’ll need to show the flashes from his first two seasons in L.A. to be a key factor alongside Bradley Beal.

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New trade suggestion: Sixers move Ben Simmons to Kings for Buddy Hield

A new trade suggestion has the Philadelphia 76ers moving Ben Simmons to the Sacramento Kings.

The trade suggestions are going to come in fast and furious now for Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons after he officially requested a trade from the only organization he’s known. Now, more than ever, there will be plenty of trade scenarios involving the embattled star.

Simmons can still be a potential franchise cornerstone as he has had some really brilliant moments in his early career. He has made an All-Star game three times in his career. He has been an All-NBA member, and he has made two All-Defensive first teams in his career. Combine that with being only 25 and he can still fulfill his potential.

However, the Sixers do not have time to wait for him anymore as they chase a championship they so desperately crave while Joel Embiid is in his prime. Therefore, president Daryl Morey will need to look for some better fits to put around Embiid in order to go get it done sooner rather than later.

A new trade suggestion put out by Bleacher Report has the Sixers moving Simmons to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Buddy Hield, rookie Davion Mitchell, a 2023 first-round pick swap, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick swap and a 2026 first-round pick.

Bleacher Report on why the Sixers do this deal:

In this particular package, the team would still receive a massive upgrade in the shooting department. Stephen Curry and Duncan Robinson are the only players in NBA history who match or exceed both of Hield’s marks for three-point attempts per game (7.4) and three-point percentage (40.6).

A shooter who can combine that kind of volume and efficiency would be lethal in lineups with Embiid. If teams were to load up on the big man’s post-ups, Philly could rain down threes via Hield, Curry and Green.

Davion Mitchell … would give the Sixers another promising young talent. And in this case, the young player has already shown solid defensive upside. The Sixers will need help on that end if Simmons leaves.

This might be the best deal Philadelphia could coax out of Sacramento in any potential trade. The Kings have already been hesitant to include young guards De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton in any deal for Simmons so in this specific case, they get an elite shooter in Hield and he would be a nice fit next to Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Mitchell was stellar on the defensive end of the floor in the summer league so that gives off a lot of potential as a 3-and-D player.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Trade suggestion: Sixers move Ben Simmons to Kings in 3-team deal

A new trade suggestion has the Philadelphia 76ers moving Ben Simmons to the Sacramento Kings in a 3-team trade.

The offseason continues and the Philadelphia 76ers have not yet moved embattled 25-year-old star Ben Simmons. The franchise continues to take trade calls on the three-time All-Star, but it will remain patient in search of the right deal.

The franchise ultimately wants Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, but Lillard is not a real possibility at the moment. Therefore, the Sixers might have to look in other directions in order to get a Simmons deal done.

In a new trade suggestion from Bleacher Report, they have the Sixers moving Simmons to the Sacramento Kings in a deal that involves the Toronto Raptors as a third team.

The deal:

  • Sixers receive: Buddy Hield, Goran Dragic, a 2022 first-round pick and a 2024 first-round pick from the Kings, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick from the Raptors
  • Kings receive: Simmons
  • Raptors receive: Marvin Bagley III and Furkan Korkmaz

B/R on the deal for the Sixers:

Hield is on a short list of the game’s greatest quantity-plus-quality shooters, and he’s been a 19-point scorer since the start of 2018-19. Dragic would scratch an itch for perimeter shot-creation having just completed a campaign in which he averaged 18.1 points, 5.9 assists and 2.5 threes per 36 minutes. The four draft picks would give Daryl Morey ammunition to chase an impact piece in a separate swap.

Bringing in Dragic from Toronto would be an interesting possibility considering he can handle the ball and be a point guard while also offering up scoring, toughness, and shooting from that spot. Hield would also be a good fit next to him and he would push either Seth Curry or Danny Green to a bench role.

However, the Sixers will remain patient on the Simmons trade front. The franchise wants a guy like Lillard and if they can pull off a deal to get Lillard, it would be a huge addition to team him next to Joel Embiid.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Trade rumor rankings: Danilo Gallinari, Ben Simmons and more

HoopsHype ranks the six players who have appeared most on our Trade Rumors Page over the past week, headlined by Danilo Gallinari.

With 2021 NBA free agency all but wrapped up, everyone’s eyes will now turn to the trade market, which could be where we see the next major move of the offseason happen.

There have been multiple huge names bandied about on the trade market for weeks, even months, so it won’t be a huge surprise to see a big trade come to fruition before training camp tips off in a bit over a month.

Below, check out the latest installment of our Trade Rumor Rankings series, which ranks the five players who have appeared most on our Trade Rumors Page over the previous seven days.

Where the Lakers stand after acquiring Russell Westbrook

Salary cap ramifications of the reported Westbrook trade, how Hield could still be in play, and projecting the Lakers luxury tax bill.

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly agreed on a deal to acquire Russell Westbrook for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and the 21st overall pick in the 2021 draft. This trade comes as a huge surprise after nearly a week of speculation that the Lakers were in serious talks with the Sacramento Kings on a trade for Buddy Hield featuring Kuzma. It’s especially surprising considering it was reported that the Lakers were moving forward on a trade for Hield minutes before the Westbrook trade was reported.

Here’s where the Lakers roster stands now going forward salary cap-wise, in regards to Buddy Hield, and how expensive the roster could potentially get:

Report: Lakers-Kings Buddy Hield trade deemed most promising option so far

Trading for Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield is reportedly the most promising option for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of a third scoring option after LeBron James and Anthony Davis continues to heat up.

The list of names Los Angeles has been linked to is already extensive, and free agency hasn’t even started yet.

Players like Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook have all been rumored to become a Laker for next season at some point during this offseason.

Recently, Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield was the key piece in trade discussions between the Kings and Lakers.

Such a deal would likely require Kyle Kuzma and one of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Montrezl Harrell, if he opts in, to go to Sacramento in order for the salaries to align.

With all of the rumors reported thus far, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports this deal involving Hield to the Lakers has the most potential:

“Of all the scenarios for a supporting player believed to be in play, one source to the situation indicated the Hield deal — which would involve forward Kyle Kuzma and would also likely require Lakers forward Montrezl Harrell to opt in to the final year of his deal (worth $9.7 million) and be included — appears the most promising thus far.”

Acquiring Hield would immediately help the Lakers’ shooting struggles, primarily from 3-point range, though he isn’t the same caliber of a playmaker as Lowry, Paul and Westbrook are as point guards.

But Hield drilled 39 percent of his threes last season on over 10 attempts a game, which is a similar volume of attempts as Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

Elite shooting on high volume is rare to have on a roster. If it requires the Lakers to deal Kuzma and Harrell, two players who underperformed in the playoffs when it mattered most, it would be a critical move to surround James and Davis with a scorching shooter who isn’t afraid to let it fly.

It’s unclear if the Lakers would need to include their No. 22 overall pick in this year’s draft to attempt to close the deal with Sacramento, but this situation is definitely one to monitor.

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Lakers, Kings have discussed Buddy Hield trade; Kyle Kuzma involved

The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings have reportedly discussed a trade that would bring Buddy Hield to L.A., and Kyle Kuzma departs.

It’s been well known the Los Angeles Lakers need stronger reinforcements to assist LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the offensive end, primarily regarding individual playmaking and shotmaking.

Los Angeles brought in Dennis Schroder to fulfill that role, but his disappearance in the playoffs has left a sour note regarding his future in L.A., especially since he is seeking a contract in the $100-120 million range in free agency this summer.

The Lakers have also been linked to several top-notch guards throughout the league, which could convey L.A.’s desire to move on if a deal with Schroder is unreasonable.

Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have been some of the premier names reported to possibly be a Laker next season.

Now, it seems like Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield is also in the mix, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:

The Lakers and Sacramento Kings have discussed a deal centered on guard Buddy Hield, sources tell The Athletic. Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma would be involved in a potential package, per sources. The Lakers have received interest from several teams regarding Kuzma, sources said.

This deal is certainly plausible from a salary perspective. Hield is slated to make $22 million this season, while Kyle Kuzma has a $13 million extension kicking in.

The Lakers would need to include more salary to execute the deal, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Montrezl Harrell, if he opts in, could be included. Talen Horton-Tucker could be a name to watch given his potential, but he’s a restricted free agent and would need to be signed first.

Los Angeles also has the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft it could include as a sweetener if the Kings require it for Hield’s services because Hield is one of the best shooters in the league.

This year, Hield shot 39.1 percent from deep on 10.2 attempts, one of the highest volume shooters out there. He fits exactly what the Lakers need from a shooting standpoint, though his creation skills for others aren’t at the level of the other stars L.A. has been tied to.

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Trade rumor rankings: Jaylen Brown, Damian Lillard and more

HoopsHype ranks the five players who have appeared most on our Trade Rumors Page over the past week, headlined by Jaylen Brown.

With just over a week, at most, left in the 2020-21 regular season, we get ever closer to what could be a very interesting summer on the trade market, with various major players being mentioned in trade rumors consistently as we end the campaign.

Because free agency in 2021 took a big hit with many big-name players opting to sign extensions with their current teams rather than test the open market, franchises looking to make a splash will have to look at the trade market to do so, meaning we could see some fireworks over the coming months.

Below, check out the next edition of our Trade Rumor Rankings series, which ranks the five players who have appeared most on our Trade Rumors Page over the previous seven days.

New trade proposal has Lakers acquiring Kings’ Buddy Hield

This proposed trade is one way the Los Angeles Lakers could acquire Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings.

The Los Angeles Lakers finished the 2020-21 regular season ranked 21st in the league in 3-point shooting, and it came back to bite the squad in the playoffs.

Los Angeles’ inability to consistently knock down open shots hurt L.A. in every game against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs, and that weakness has become impossible to ignore.

The Lakers need to add players who can hit jumpers when opportunities come their way, which is reportedly a priority for Los Angeles’ front office.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a career year from 3-point range as he shot over 41 percent, but he also disappeared in the early stages of that first-round series before a lower-leg injury deteriorated him further.

Los Angeles could scour the free-agent market when it opens on Aug. 2 to pick up help, but with their limited financial flexibility, the best options may be out of L.A.’s affordable price range.

L.A. could also look to make a trade for someone proven. The Lakers don’t have many palatable contracts to include in a trade for a better player, but they could have enough to get a deal done.

This proposed trade from Dan Favale of Bleacher Report sees the Lakers landing Sacramento Kings sharpshooter Buddy Hield for Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell.

Here’s why the Lakers should do it, via Favale:

“The Lakers, meanwhile, need to glitter up their offense. Buddy Hield doesn’t provide a ton of self-creation, but he’s one of the best shooters alive. Since entering the league, he is one of just 17 players putting down more than 40 percent of their triples on at least 1,000 total attempts.

Footing the bill on his contract balance—three years, $62.5 million guaranteed—isn’t a mindless decision. But he is the perfect complement to an offense that seems married to playing two bigs, and his salary falls short of back-breaking when it’s on a declining scale.”

Hield’s 3-point percentages may have declined in each passing season, but his volume is difficult to overlook. This season, Hield attempted 10.2 3-pointers a game. For comparison’s sake, Kuzma attempts 11 field goals overall a game.

The two play different styles of basketball on teams that are vastly different from each other, but Hield immediately becomes Los Angeles’ best shooter from the perimeter.

It remains to be seen how the center rotation looks for Los Angeles next season — do they pair Anthony Davis with a center like Andre Drummond or play Davis at the 5? — which could be crucial in maximizing having a player like Hield on the court.

Hield has played for a Sacramento squad that likes to run in transition but can settle down and establish a half-court set, too. Hield’s playmaking abilities as a ball-handler is still in the works, but he’s had a plethora of instances as the primary ball-handler in Sacramento.

The Lakers need to add more quality win-now players to the roster alongside LeBron James and Davis, and Hield, 28, is just that. Removing Kuzma and Harrell, who both were no-shows in the playoffs, would be a win for L.A., though losing Kuzma’s versatility could be costly.

This potential move would also depend on Sacramento’s value of Kuzma and Harrell, as they could try to seek better value elsewhere. Hield has three years left on the four-year, $94 million extension he signed that started in 2020-21.

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