The Indiana Pacers could finally look to move one of their top veteran assets. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Buddy Hield and the Pacers have begun talks about a potential trade after failed extension talks.
“Hield is open to a trade elsewhere, according to rival team sources, but no deal is imminent and there aren’t any current substantive talks with any other team,” Charania reported. “The Pacers did offer Hield an extension in recent weeks, but it’s believed their proposal did not make the seven-year guard feel desired, league sources said.”
Buddy Hield is currently heading into the final year of his contract before he’s expected to be among the best free-agent role players on the open market next summer. Not only is he a 40.2 percent 3-point shooter on his career, but he’s fresh off shooting 42.5 percent on 8.0 downtown attempts per game last season. For a league that lives and dies behind the arc, Hield’s services could undoubtedly fit on practically any roster.
With that being the case, it came as no surprise to see Charania write that “multiple teams are expected to express interest” in acquiring Hield. The question, however, is what will the Indiana Pacers want in return and who has the right assets?
Hield isn’t necessarily the easiest player to fit on the capsheet. The sharpshooter is owed $19.2 million this next season, which will be tough for some contending teams to match. And, again, we don’t know exactly what the Pacers are looking for. Do they want impact talent as they try to begin winning around Haliburton or would they be okay accepting salary filler if it meant first-round draft capital?
If one thing is for sure, Buddy Hield would be a splendid addition to the Chicago Bulls’ rotation. Already adding some 3-point shooting in Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig, Hield would really help this team expand their shooting profile in a meaningful way. Unfortunately, it’s hard to even mock up a trade without a potential third team getting involved, particularly when we consider the Bulls are hard-capped at the first tax apron.
I’d also be highly skeptical of ownership allowing this front office to go over the luxury tax to add Hield. While I wholeheartedly believe he’d be worth it, we all know how this organization loves to do everything it can to dodge the tax.
Anyway, I’ll try to mock up some fake trades and report back. In the meantime, here’s a big-time trade rumor to gnaw on …