NBA Insiders Predict Landing Spots For Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield is being pursued by the Indiana Pacers once more. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Pacers and Hield were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension, prompting Indiana to put the three-point specialist on the market.

NBA Insiders Predict Landing Spots For Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield has dropped out of safety school. For the past two years, Hield has been connected to the Los Angeles Lakers. Such a bargain made perfect sense. For much of the entire LeBron James era, the Lakers have been among the NBA’s worst shooting teams. Hield has never played with a shot-creator of James’ level, but he would have flourished in his presence.

The Kings were close to trading Hield to the Lakers in 2021, but the Lakers opted for Russell Westbrook at the final minute. The Pacers were close to trading Hield to the Lakers in 2022, but they demanded too much in a package deal that included Myles Turner. It’s now 2023, and Hield looks to be at his most vulnerable.

The Sixers, Mavericks, and Bucks have all been mentioned as possible trade destinations for Hield. This comes after the Pacers decided to offer Hield on the free market after a contract extension fell through between both parties.

Hield is in the final year of his four-year, $94 million deal, and a contender would greatly benefit from his excellent shooting. Hield has averaged 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 steals a game in his seven years in the NBA while shooting 40.2 per cent from downtown.

He is also No. 29 on the NBA’s all-time list of 3-pointers made. Hield would be an ideal match for the Dallas Mavericks, playing with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but does the Mavericks’ decision make sense?

Many Bucks fans have speculated throughout the years that Hield might be a good fit with the existing core. Many of those same fans have undoubtedly hit the trade machines in recent days since learning that Hield was looking for a trade out of Indiana, and they presumably recognize that at least one crucial component will need to be shipped away in order for Milwaukee to get the prolific shooter.

Depending on who is pushed out, this may not be a problem, and it may give up a roster place for someone like free-agent point guard Cameron Payne.

The Sixers are the most likely of these three clubs to strike a deal. This is a squad that still has to retool its roster following the trade of Harden. The team will almost certainly have enough expiring to reach an agreement between the two parties. They would also have enough middle-tier young players and one first-round pick from the Harden trade to entice Indiana to accept a trade.

 

 

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