Report: Lakers, Pacers reopen talks over potential Hield trade

Buddy Hield is on the Los Angeles Lakers' radar again.

Los Angeles recently engaged in negotiations with the Indiana Pacers about a potential trade centered around the Bahamian sharpshooter, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on NBA Today.

It's unclear how far discussions between the two teams progressed, if at all. Though it's possible the Lakers could include guard Russell Westbrook in a deal, according to McMenamin.

The Lakers have long been linked to Hield since his days with the Sacramento Kings. In June 2021, they even reportedly had a deal agreed upon with the Kings that would have sent Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to Sacramento in exchange for Hield. However, Los Angeles changed course minutes later, instead shipping Kuzma, Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Washington Wizards for Westbrook.

Hield joined the Pacers two days before the February trade deadline as part of a multi-player swap that also sent Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana and Domantas Sabonis to the Kings.

The 29-year-old's production jumped all across the board following the move. After averaging 14.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 55 games with the Kings - predominantly as a reserve - Hield put up 18.2 points, 5.1 boards, and 4.8 assists per contest with Indiana while starting in all 26 of his appearances.