The Los Angeles Lakers may have found a backup option in case they only get the third-overall pick in this year's draft lottery.
According to Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times, Oklahoma Sooners star Buddy Hield would be an "interesting option" for the Lakers if in case they only get the third overall pick in this year's draft lottery.
There is a growing sense that the Lakers would pick either LSU's Ben Simmons or Duke's Brandon Ingram if they get the first or second overall pick in this year's draft lottery. But if the Lakers only get the No. 3 pick, Hield does not seem a bad choice for a team attempting to rebuild post the Kobe Bryant era.
Hield steered the Sooners to a Final Four Appearance in the NCAA, but fell short after a 95-51 loss to the Villanova Wildcats. The Freeport, Bahamas native averaged 25.0 points and 5.7 rebounds, while shooting 50.1 percent from the field for Oklahoma this season.
The 22-year-old's stellar performance throughout the NCAA season has elevated his draft stock, which is possible enough to get picked by the Lakers if the franchise is lucky enough to get the No. 3 pick. But according to Sports Illustrated's latest mock draft, Hield is projected to get drafted by the Timberwolves at fifth overall, while the Lakers get Simmons as the No. 2 pick.
Hield's nine-point performance against the Wildcats is not something that could boost his draft stock in the coming days, but his potential to be one of the league's elite shooting guards is undeniable, having "drastically" improved his game in the past few years.
"The ability to evolve is a good sign for his NBA career. As for the Wolves? If they believe in Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio in the backcourt, they should add a complementary shooter to come be their J.J. Redick. If they don't, they should take one of the next two players," Andrew Sharp of Sports Illustrated wrote.
A for the Lakers, if in case they net the No. 3 pick and draft Hield, the move would give the Lakers another potential star in a lineup that would see him play alongside D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.
This is not the worst-case scenario for the Lakers, but it is not considered as the very best either. But ultimately, any addition like Hield would help in the Lakers' cause to get back in contention.