The Los Angeles Lakers brought in 22-year-old Buddy Hield of the Oklahoma Sooners, considered by many as the best shooter in the 2016 NBA Draft, for a second draft workout on Saturday.
For the 2015-16 college basketball season, Hield played four years of college basketball and led the Sooners to a Final Four berth in his senior year. Hield left college basketball with a cabinet full of trophies, notably the Naismith College Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award and the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Hield left college basketball widely regarded as the best player in college basketball and with the silverware to back it up.
If NBA teams were picking the best player to start the 2016-17 season, Hield would likely go no. 1. However, the NBA Draft is about potential, and most draft boards project the 6-foot 4-inch Bohemian to be selected closer to the no. 5 pick, though Hield reportedly had a strong workout with the Boston Celtics, who hold the no. 3 pick.
Still, the Lakers appeared enchanted enough to bring Hield back for a second workout on Saturday and opted to invite reporters to meet with the undersized shooting guard.
"I came to showcase my talents in one-on-one and show what I can do off the dribble against somebody guarding me, so me competing on defense as well," Hield said on Saturday, after sharing that the first workout had been a solo exercise.
Asked about whether he could jump up to the no. 2 pick, Hield responded, "Just what the franchise need. You know, they're losing Kobe (Bryant) and need a scorer. Why not?"
Hield also spoke glowingly about a two-hour workout with Bryant which focused on footwork. Bryant shared his fandom of Hield during back in March and even went to watch Oklahoma play during the NCAA Tournament.
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"I'm a confident player and I've been under pressure my whole life," Hield continued to make his case to jump up in the draft. "I'm a player that's coming expecting to win right away."
Hield also combated the notion that a four-year college player did not offer the opportunity to improve in the NBA. He listed listed C.J. McCollum, who won the NBA's Most Improved Player award for 2015-16, as a prime example of a guy who spent four years in college and is now turning heads with his development in the NBA. Hield also listed Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Damian Lillard as guys that stayed in school and managed to become superstars in the NBA.
"Once you can play and you got heart and a goal to compete every night, I feel that you should be fine," Hield contended that he could improve both mentally and physically.
Hield said the Lakers' workout was the last on his schedule.
He laughed, "Save the best for last."
