Lakers' Top Potential Targets amid Rumors That Team Wants to Add Shooting

So far this offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have made a handful of free-agent signings. However, the new players they've brought in will mostly serve as depth for the 2022-23 season. They haven't made any major moves to shake up their lineup.

There's been plenty of buzz, though, mostly surrounding a potential Kyrie Irving trade. But that's far from a sure thing, especially as the Brooklyn Nets are trying to decide what to do not only with Irving, but also with Kevin Durant, who has requested to be dealt.

Even if the Lakers don't end up with Irving, they're still likely to make moves. Players such as Lonnie Walker IV and Juan Toscano-Anderson could be solid contributors, especially at the price for which they signed with Los Angeles. But as NBA reporter Marc Stein recently shared, the Lakers are seeking more, particularly in one key area.

"They are still 'definitely' looking for ways to add shooting, according to one source with knowledge of the team’s thinking," Stein wrote.

Here's a look at several players (outside of Irving) who could be potential fits with Los Angeles and who the team may want to pursue (and may be already).

Buddy Hield

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) plays against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, April 3, 2022. The Pistons defeated the Pacers 121-117(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Buddy Hield was linked to the Lakers last offseason, but they opted to trade for Russell Westbrook instead. So it shouldn't be a surprise that Hield is being linked to Los Angeles again this summer, even though he's since been dealt from the Sacramento Kings to the Indiana Pacers.

The 29-year-old Hield would be a great fit with the Lakers, who need to get better on the wings and improve from beyond the arc. Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Hield has made 1,093 three-pointers in 306 games while shooting 39.4 percent from long range.

But if Los Angeles is going to land Hield, it may need to part with more assets. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers and Pacers have discussed a multi-player deal, but McMenamin noted "those talks basically went nowhere" as Indiana didn't think Los Angeles "gave a good enough of an offer to continue having that conversation."

Stein also reported that he heard "pessimism" from a source that the Lakers would have enough to land both Hield and Myles Turner in a trade with the Pacers, with both of those players having been named among Los Angeles' rumored targets.

But maybe the Lakers could swing a deal just for Hield, who would fill a larger need and give them the type of shooter they're reportedly seeking. He should be the No. 1 target on their board at this point.

Eric Gordon

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 4, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Eric Gordon was reportedly close to getting traded by the Houston Rockets on draft night. According to The Athletic's Kelly Iko, the Rockets received offers from "no less than six teams" for Gordon, and the 33-year-old guard was nearly dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers. Instead, nothing happened and Gordon remains in Houston.

There's still trade buzz surrounding Gordon, though, and the Lakers have been linked to him, per Stein. He's a wing player who could help Los Angeles improve on both ends of the floor, plus he's proved he's a solid shooter at this point in his career.

Last season, Gordon shot 41.2 percent from three-point range. That was his best showing from behind the arc since he shot 44.8 percent on three-pointers during the 2014-15 campaign.

Gordon would be a great scorer to have alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, especially because he has a different skill set. Gordon doesn't need to take a ton of shots, but he'll be efficient when he is taking them. And most importantly, he has the long-range ability that the Lakers are lacking.

Gordon Hayward

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) brings the ball up court against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Gordon Hayward has dealt with numerous injuries in recent years, but when healthy, the 32-year-old forward is still an efficient scorer who can thrive on the wing. But he's also set to make $30.075 million next season and $31.5 million during the 2023-24 campaign.

If the Lakers wanted to acquire Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets, they would likely have to part with Westbrook. That's something the Hornets could be interested in, though.

Before the draft, The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that Charlotte had "real" interest in Westbrook. Perhaps that has changed since then. But if not, Los Angeles could try to part with Westbrook in exchange for a package centered around Hayward.

Hayward doesn't attempt a ton of three-pointers, but he's efficient from long range, as he's shot 39.6 percent from beyond the arc in 145 games over the past three seasons. But his scoring ability would still be a beneficial addition to the Lakers' lineup.