- LeBron James’ 4-emoji reaction to being named to All-NBA Third Team
- Report: Teams have been ‘demanding’ inclusion of 1st-round pick to take on Russell Westbrook’s contract
- LeBron James makes desperate plea in wake of devastating school shooting at Texas elementary school
- Zach LaVine says he’s ‘always been a big fan’ of the Lakers amid LaVar Ball’s prediction he’ll go to L.A.
- Report: Lakers currently have no plans to use 1st-round pick to facilitate Russell Westbrook trade
- Report: Some within Lakers believe right coach and better supporting cast could smooth over Russ’ fit with LeBron and A.D.
- Video: LeBron James’ former teammates visibly disgusted after Lakers are brought up during ESPN segment
- Kevin Garnett roasts Lakers for coaching search: ‘They not serious about trying to better the situation with that list of coaches’
- Video: LeBron James intently embraces rabbi that he previously received spiritual guidance from
- Magic exclaims A.D. and LeBron-led Lakers ‘failed’ after shaping contender expectations with Russ acquisition
Report: Buddy Hield, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell were ‘blindsided’ when Kings and Lakers trade fell through
- Updated: July 30, 2021

The Los Angeles Lakers punted on their trade discussions with the Sacramento Kings and agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards for Russell Westbrook on Thursday.
However, Kings guard Buddy Hield and Wizards newcomers Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell were surprised by the rapid action that unfolded.
a couple of tidbits on the Lakers from Lowe: pic.twitter.com/kcJ3lXIGT6
— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) July 30, 2021
“Almost everyone that I could talk to that was involved in the potential Buddy Hield-Kings trade was kind of blindsided when it fell apart at the end,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on his podcast.
The Lakers were in on talks to acquire Hield ahead of the draft.
As a matter of fact, they reportedly added their prized 2021 first-round pick to strengthen their offer. The Kings had the choice of picking between Kuzma or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
According to Jason Jones of The Athletic, all the players involved in the Kings-Lakers talks believed the trade was going to happen.
“League sources said all the players involved in the much-discussed Lakers-Kings deal expected that trade to happen,” Jones wrote.
Yet, things appeared to fizzle out as the draft got closer.
Then, the Lakers agreed to send Kuzma, Harrell and Caldwell-Pope and the No. 22 pick to the Wizards for Westbrook and two future second-round picks.
On Friday, Kuzma thanked the Lakers in a classy social media post.