These three playoff contenders should think about getting one of the NBA’s top 3-point shooters as the Pacers look into trades for Buddy Hield.
After failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic that Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers are apparently looking at trade destinations for the shooting guard. Although the Pacers had made Hield an offer, the 30-year-old allegedly did not “feel desired” by it.
The remaining year of Hield’s current $19.2 million contract is now. Because the Pacers guard is one of the NBA’s top shooters right now, many clubs should be calling Indiana after hearing this news.
In his first full season in Indianapolis, Hield averaged 16.8 points on 45.8 percent field goal and 42.5 percent three-point shooting. The star player from Oklahoma has a lifetime field goal percentage of 40.2 percent. In addition, he has made more three-pointers (1,381) than players like Damian Lillard (1,118) and Stephen Curry (1,261) over the past five seasons.
In light of Buddy Buckets’ desire to be traded, let’s examine the greatest possible destinations for Buddy Hield in light of the Indiana Pacers’ stalled contract negotiations.
Celtics of Boston
No matter how deep they are now, the Boston Celtics always seem to be trying to get deeper. This past summer, Boston retooled once more, trading for Kristaps Porzingis while saying goodbye to Marcus Smart, a cherished player. Grant Williams, a backup forward who joined the Dallas Mavericks, was also released by them. The next step for Brad Stevens might be to make a trade for Buddy Hield.
Boston could return Malcolm Brogdon to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Buddy Hield. Following their unsuccessful attempt to move him earlier this offseason, the Celtics are allegedly not on the best of terms with the veteran guard. They should seriously consider moving Brogdon if he reports to training camp dissatisfied with his current team; Hield would be a possible destination.
Tyrese Haliburton’s seasoned mentor, Brogdon, could be recruited by the Pacers to replace him.
The Celtics offense frequently relies on corner threes. Last season, they shot over 40% from that area of the floor. Williams, one of Boston’s greatest cornerbacks, left the team this summer. The bulky forward has three times in his career hit at least a 42 percent from that distance.
They not only get to make up for what they lost in that area with Hield, but they also gain one of the NBA’s most lethal corner snipers. Hield has a career field goal percentage of 47.5 percent from the corner, so he should prosper given the number of offensive opportunities the Celtics can provide for him.
Knicks of New York
Another possible trade destination for Buddy Hield is the New York Knicks. Despite having numerous assets, New York hasn’t made any notable moves this summer. They might make use of some of those resources to sign a player who can help them overcome one of their main team shortcomings.
The Knicks have trouble making three-pointers. They finished dead last among all 16 teams (29.2 percent) in the 2023 NBA Playoffs and were only placed 19th in the NBA during the regular season (35.4 percent). In the offseason, they did sign Donte DiVincenzo, who last year hit 39.7 percent from outside the arc for the Golden State Warriors. But acquiring Hield would be the ideal move to allay their worries there.
The Knicks might trade Evan Fournier’s remaining two-year contract, which has a team option for 2024–25, to get Hield. Given that Fournier will make $18.8 million this season as a bench player for Tom Thibodeau, it makes sense for New York to locate a trade for him. His contract might allow the Knicks to match salaries while also tying up some of their draft picks. New York might have two first-round picks in 2025 and four in 2024, leaving the team with ample picks if they ever want to sign a major star.
Atlanta Hawks
Buddy Hield currently resides in Dallas. Why not simply transport Buddy home?
Three-point shooters are the perfect complement to Luka Doncic, and Buddy Hield is one of the best options available. Although Hield would probably like to start for his next team, he might find excitement in a prominent role off the bench for a postseason contender like the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks, who placed 8th with 37.1 percent, were one of the league’s top three-point shooting teams the previous season. They could send Tim Hardaway Jr. to Indiana in a potential trade, but they could use a more reliable sniper off the bench.
Hield averaged 3.6 three-pointers per game while shooting 42.5 percent from long range for the 21st-ranked offense, which has many great scoring alternatives. Imagine how effective he would be shooting with the open looks he will receive playing alongside Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
However, since they don’t necessarily have the draft assets that the Pacers may want in a deal for Hield, the Mavs may need to get creative in order to acquire the sharpshooter. To reach an agreement, they might need to involve a third team.
