3 teams that make sense as landing spots for Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield via trade
Recent reporting from The Athletic details that the Indiana Pacers have opened trade talks involving guard Buddy Hield after the team and Hield could not agree to terms on a contract extension. Hield, 30, has one year left on his current deal.
Some squads have already been revealed as suitors in Dallas, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia, but many teams make sense as a destination for Hield if he is moved. The sweet-shooting guard has knocked down better than 40% of his threes during his career, and most contenders could use a player who can be that effective from long range.
The new NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement makes Hield's expiring contract and Bird Rights more valuable to certain teams, so he could have value for rosters in a variety of salary situations. That, combined with his desirable skill set, makes many organizations a good fit for his services if Indiana decides to move on. The Pacers learned how valuable Hield can be in his absence last season, and that could be relevant for other landing spots.
While there are many teams that could use a player like Hield, including the trio with reported interest above, there are three that stand out largely due to their need for perimeter shooting.
Miami Heat
Fresh off of a run to the NBA Finals, Miami has lost talent — and three-point shooting — this offseason. They are a terrific defensive team at their best and still can be an efficient offense due to their ability to get to the rim and free throw line.
But Miami could use another shooter. Only three players on the Heat shot above league average from three-point range in the regular season last year: Omer Yurtseven, Jamaree Bouyea, and Tyler Herro. The former two combined for 13 total appearances.
Duncan Robinson had a down year from deep, and the team from South Beach could use another weapon from long range to pair with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and perhaps Damian Lillard. Hield would be a great fit, especially on a team that will demand his buy-in.
Los Angeles Lakers
Hield was nearly dealt to the Lakers in 2021 before they pivoted to a different trade that landed them Russell Westbrook. Instead, Hield stayed with the Sacramento Kings for a few more months before being sent to the Pacers.
The interest from Los Angeles never appeared to go away, and the franchise was connected to Hield via numerous reports last summer. In the end, a deal never materialized. But Indiana's weapon remains an excellent fit with LA if he is traded there.
Hield would slot in well next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He would provide spacing for both of them, and his shooting would look fantastic when paired with a bullying passer like James. Stars who can distribute are some of Hield's best possible partners in the league.
The Lakers may not have the right assets to make a deal, but if they do, they make a ton of sense as a trade destination. They ranked 24th with a 34.6% three-point percentage in 2022-23.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors traded away their first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft (protected for picks 1-6) to the San Antonio Spurs, so they should want to win games this season and not take a step back. They lost Fred VanVleet in free agency, but Toronto spent the offseason acting like a team that wanted to push for the postseason.
Hield would help them tremendously. The Raptors half court offense struggled often last season, and they ranked 28th in three-point percentage. They were also bottom-ten in threes attempted.
Someone like Hield, who can get up threes from anywhere on the court and finished second in made triples last season, would help a ton. He would be a snug fit alongside Scottie Barnes, and his shooting would make Barnes' ball-handling reps easier.
Like the Heat, Toronto only had three players shoot an above-average percentage from deep last year. Hield would help boost that, and he would give the Raptors flexibility as they figure out their direction. A good player on an expiring deal like Hield is, on paper, exactly what Toronto needs.
Portland, Atlanta, New York, and Oklahoma City also stand out as good fits for the Oklahoma product, but it all depends on what the Pacers want in return. The Pacers should be in no rush to find a resolution, but if the right opportunity presents itself, the teams listed above seem like the most natural fits.
- Report: Indiana Pacers start talks on a Buddy Hield trade after extension discussion breaks down. CLICK HERE.
- Competitive training camp coming for Indiana Pacers players looking for minutes and opportunity. CLICK HERE.
- Jermaine O'Neal shares his thoughts on his number not being retired and how the Indiana Pacers franchise treats former players. CLICK HERE.
- Pacers guard-to-be Darius McGhee discusses what makes Andrew Nembhard so good on the Locked On Pacers podcast. CLICK HERE.
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