Grade Trade Validates Daryl Morey’s Move for Buddy Hield

The Philadelphia 76ers are still getting rave reviews for their Buddy Hield trade.

When the Philadelphia 76ers made a trade with the Indiana Pacers to acquire Buddy Hield, the move received an A-plus grade from Bleacher Report.

At the time, the Sixers struck their first of four moves with a bang by sending out the veterans Marcus Morris and Furkan Korkmaz, along with draft compensation, in order to land the veteran sharpshooter Hield.

The trade was applauded in Philadelphia, especially since Hield was linked to the Sixers as a possible trade candidate dating back to his days as a member of the Sacramento Kings.

With Morey finally acquiring the career 40 percent shooter from deep, Sixers fans were satisfied. Obviously, the organization felt great about it, too, as Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey considered Hield the best player moved on the trade market this year.

“We’re focused on upgrading this year, and we feel like we got the best player at the trade deadline that was traded,” Morey said following the deadline last month. “We felt like he gave us exactly what we were looking for. He’s one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history. We really like what he adds to the team.”

Recently, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale re-visited the deadline’s biggest moves one month later to issue a re-grade. Some turned out to be better than expected. Others were viewed as more disappointing than anticipated. 

The Hield acquisition, though, is spot on in the eyes of BR, validating Morey’s belief.

“Getting Hield still goes down as the perfect trade. He did not warp the Sixers' cap-space plan in any way, shape or form. (This trade actually shaved a couple of million bucks off their 2023-24 payroll.) And they're now getting an inside look at the value of deadeye marksmanship ahead of a critical summer.

If Embiid returns this season, as planned, the Sixers will glean important insight into Hield's impact on their regular offense. Shipping out three seconds isn't nothing, but it's also galaxies from prohibitive when you bag a player who beefs up your immediate ceiling (should you get healthy) and who could plausibly stick around past this year.”

Hield joined the Sixers during a tough time, considering the team has been without its star center, Joel Embiid, for over a month. In addition to the big man’s absence, the Sixers have had key rotational players in and out of the lineup, including the star guard Tyrese Maxey.

Fully healthy or not, the Sixers acquired Hield with plans of having him take on a major supporting role. With a shorthanded rotation, Hield collected a starting job right out of the gate when he debuted on February 9. Since then, he’s started in all but one of his games with the Sixers.

Leading up to the Sixers’ Sunday night matchup against the New York Knicks, Hield was averaging 15 points, three rebounds, and five assists while shooting 41 percent from three on eight attempts per game.

While the Sixers’ record hasn’t necessarily been positive, the team is encouraged by Hield’s personal effort thus far.