Kevin Huerter is having a down year as a 3-point shooter. The 27-year-old would have been the perfect type of fringe roster move for the Los Angeles Lakers to kick the tires on. Instead, the now former Chicago Bulls sharpshooter is on his way to the Detroit Pistons instead.
Shams Charania reported, "Just in: Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit have agreed to a multi-team deal that sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Detroit also receives a 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota."
Seeing a more established contender nab a player who could have helped the Lakers close the gap on becoming one is a tough blow. Huerter will enjoy feeding off Cade Cunningham's offense, finishing off perimeter opportunities created for him in the process. Luka Doncic is still left seeking help in Los Angeles in the meantime.
Lakers fumble golden opportunity to add real shooting help with Kevin Huerter
Huerter is making almost $18 million in the final year of his contract. That is a big number, relative to his quality as a player and the current CBA. However, the former Bull is also in the final year of his four-year, $65 million contract that was signed with the Sacramento Kings.
Adding a solid player on an expiring deal would have allowed the Lakers to have their cake and eat it too. They could have maintained their desired financial flexibility for the summer while also addressing one of the biggest roster needs in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are desperate for shooting. Any team with Doncic on it thrives when there are players around him who can catch and shoot. Los Angeles has not delivered in that department.
The Lakers are connecting on 35.1 percent from beyond the arc in 2025-26. That ranks in the bottom half of the NBA. They also shoot only 34.1 attempts per game, ranking 23rd in the entire NBA.
Huerter, himself, has not been the most reliable marksman in 2025-26. In 44 games with the Bulls, the eight-year veteran was only knocking down 31.4 percent from 3-point land.
This would have been one of those instances where you trust the guy someone has been for the majority of their career (37.1 percent average from triples) over a rough patch. If there's anyone who can open up those opportunities for his role players, it would be Doncic.
Alas, the Lakers will never know. Huerter will be helping the spacing of a top team in this year's postseason. It will just be out in the Eastern Conference Playoffs with the Pistons instead.