Buddy Hield Trade Speculation: Exploring Three Potential Landing Spots for the Pacers’ Sharpshooter
The revelation that the Indiana Pacers are considering trade options for Buddy Hield doesn’t come as a shock. The Pacers boast a trio of burgeoning guards in Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Andrew Nembhard, all vying for more playing time and shots. Adding to their backcourt mix, they recently inked Bruce Brown to a substantial contract in free agency, and T.J. McConnell remains a valuable asset for backcourt depth. While Hield could certainly contribute to the Pacers, he doesn’t qualify as an essential piece in Indiana’s puzzle.
Ironically, the timing of this news is intriguing. Buddy Hield had been consistently linked to the Los Angeles Lakers for the past two years. Such a trade would have made perfect sense. The Lakers have struggled with their shooting for a significant portion of LeBron James’ tenure with the team. Hield, yet to play alongside a shot-creator of James’ caliber, could have undoubtedly thrived in such a pairing.
In 2021, the Kings came close to trading Hield to the Lakers, but they ultimately opted for Russell Westbrook at the eleventh hour. Likewise, in 2022, the Pacers almost traded Hield to the Lakers but couldn’t agree on a deal involving Myles Turner. Now, in 2023, when Hield seems most attainable, the Lakers appear to be off the table. Their lack of tradeable salary assets makes it challenging to make a serious run at Hield, at least for now. There’s a possibility this might change mid-season when D’Angelo Russell becomes trade-eligible, but for the time being, the primary Hield destination seems unavailable.
So, does it make sense for Hield to be dealt with before the season begins? Let’s explore three potential scenarios.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors ranked a dismal 25th in the NBA for half-court offense last season. Their recent replacement of Fred VanVleet, a former All-Star and one of the better shooting point guards in the league, with Dennis Schroder, who struggles with deep shooting, hasn’t improved their offensive prospects. Barring a few exceptions, the Raptors might have one of the NBA’s weakest half-court offenses in the upcoming season. Any enhancement in shooting would be highly valuable. How about a trade involving Gary Trent Jr., who recently committed to the final year of his contract?
Trent is no slouch from beyond the arc, but his shooting percentage has dipped to 37.4% since his impressive 40% mark with the Portland Trail Blazers. Hield, on the other hand, is a more reliable marksman, while Trent excels in other facets of the game. This arrangement could fit well with the Pacers, who already have an abundance of shooters. Their backcourt depth would remain intact, and their coach, Rick Carlisle, is known for utilizing lineups with multiple ball-handlers. Both Hield and Trent are on expiring contracts, allowing both the Raptors and Pacers to evaluate each other’s shooting guards for a year before deciding on a potential extension.
If Hield doesn’t gel in Toronto, the Raptors have a promising sharpshooter in rookie Gradey Dick waiting in the wings. While relying on a rookie might not be the ideal route to a successful season, Hield could serve as an effective stopgap.
Houston Rockets
Kevin Porter Jr. is currently facing domestic violence allegations, prompting the Rockets to explore trade options. It’s highly unlikely any team would acquire Porter with the expectation of playing him. Even before these allegations surfaced, Porter had a history of off-court issues. Nevertheless, the unique structure of his contract allows him to be a useful salary component in a potential trade. Porter’s contract appears to span four years, but he can be waived with only $1 million guaranteed after this season. The guaranteed amount increases to $3 million on opening night, $6 million in February, and finally, his full 2024-25 salary in June. Houston has a strong incentive to execute a trade swiftly if they don’t intend to retain him, and they’re reportedly open to including draft assets in such a deal.
This makes a trade with the Pacers relatively straightforward. Houston could send Porter, who would likely be waived immediately, along with a couple of draft picks to the Pacers in exchange for Hield. While Porter might not replace Hield’s playmaking abilities, it’s not necessarily what the Rockets need. Aside from VanVleet, they have young talents like Jalen Green and the fourth overall pick, Amen Thompson. They also have a center, Alperen Sengun, who requires more offensive opportunities. After finishing last in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage last season, the Rockets are in dire need of more shooting, an area where Hield can significantly contribute.
It’s crucial to note that Houston owes their next three first-round picks to Oklahoma City. The Rockets have little incentive to continue their losing streak, and reports suggest ownership is growing impatient. Even without considering Porter’s off-court situation, Hield would have been an upgrade for the Rockets. Given the circumstances, this trade is likely the best they can hope for regarding Porter.
Brooklyn Nets
The landscape in Brooklyn has changed significantly. The Nets boasted one of the most remarkable collections of shooters in NBA history last season, but the departures of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris, Seth Curry, and Patty Mills have altered the equation. However, Ben Simmons, who remains on the team, is in dire need of shooters around him. While Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson offer some support, Brooklyn requires more shooting to create proper floor spacing when Simmons and Nic Claxton share the court.
Thankfully, Brooklyn possesses a trade exception just shy of $20 million from their trade involving Harris with the Detroit Pistons. This exception could absorb Hield’s $19.2 million contract. The Nets, with an abundance of wing players, could send Royce O’Neale to the Pacers, who need wing players. This trade would push the Nets roughly $2 million above the luxury tax threshold, a cost owner Joe Tsai would likely prefer to avoid after years of surpassing it. Nevertheless, this is a manageable sum, and the Nets have various strategies to get back under the threshold during the season.
Brooklyn might also seek some draft compensation in the deal, considering the significant savings they’d provide the Pacers. While not sufficient for a first-round pick, it could potentially secure a couple of second-round picks. In basketball terms, this trade aligns with the interests of both teams.
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