76ers Trade Rumors: Pacers Sharpshooter Linked to Philly Again
At this point, it’s become apparent the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t heading into the trade deadline with a different mindset despite the major changes that have occurred over the past week.
Prior to the loss of Joel Embiid, the Sixers were expected to enter the deadline as buyers, searching for win-now talent. With Embiid on a recovery timeline, which currently doesn’t have a return date set, it puts the Sixers in a position to potentially question their status as championship contenders without their big man on the floor.
At the end of the day, the Sixers expect to make the playoffs with or without Embiid. And if they get that far, there’s no sense in not giving it all they got. Therefore, if there’s a win-now deal on the table for the right price, the Sixers should strike.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Sixers are reportedly targeting Indiana Pacers sharpshooter Buddy Hield. Per Fischer’s latest report, the Sixers are “exploring conversations with a variety of teams,” but he specifically dropped Hield’s name, which shouldn’t come as a surprise at this point.
Prior to landing with the Pacers, Hield was a frequent rumored trade target for the 76ers as the Sacramento Kings considered moving him on several occasions. While Hield eventually was tossed on the table for a trade amidst his sixth season with the Kings, he ended up in Indiana, where he’s currently playing through his third season as a member of the Pacers.
Heading into the 2023-2024 NBA season, the Pacers were expected to explore a trade for the veteran sharpshooter as contract negotiations weren’t existent. The 31-year-old would get a change of scenery, as many expected. Then, the Pacers went on to thrive throughout the first half of the year.
Currently sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, the Pacers are 29-23, just a few games back from the 76ers. As they are on the rise, under the leadership of Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers are active in the trade market, making win-now moves. They proved they are willing to wheel and deal, as they won the Pascal Siakam sweepstakes last month.
If the Pacers are willing to cut ties with Hield this season, he is a prospect the Sixers would be wise to take a look at. While his three-point attempts and percentage are down from his career averages, Hield is a well-established sharpshooter from beyond the arc.
