Pacers President Kevin Pritchard on a Buddy Hield contract extension: 'I'm not saying we're going to do it for sure, but I'm not opposed to it'
Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield just had one of his best-ever offensive seasons. He averaged nearly 17 points per game on career-high efficiency, his playmaking took a step forward, his rebounding was solid, and his impact peaked. He also played in 80 games, which was huge for the Pacers.
It wasn't all rosy, though. Hield's defense was subpar, and he didn't elevate the team as much when he wasn't paired with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. Being able to play well with a team's star player is not a negative, it just means that there are fewer roles where Hield can be at his peak force.
In the end, the Pacers offensive rating was a solid 116.39 with Hield on the hardwood, but their defensive rating was 118.46. That offensive level would approach a top-five in the league ranking over a full season, but the defense would be near a league-worst level.
Hield is under contract for the rest of the ongoing season (until June 30) and the 2023-24 campaign. After that, his deal expires and he would become an unrestricted free agent. As a 30-year-old, the Pacers have to decide at some point in the next 10 months or so what their future plans with Hield are. After next February's trade deadline, the decision to keep Hield or not going forward would be out of their hands and instead in Hield's.
Indiana's President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard was asked about Hield, and a potential contract extension, at his end-of-season media availability earlier this month.
"So Buddy [Hield] specifically. He's under contract for another year. So we don't have to early extend. We could. I love Buddy. There's some things that he does that's not on the court. The way he keeps practice light," Pritchard began. "But I think we've got to define his role next year. And if we can get a role where he's comfortable and we're comfortable, then I'm not opposed to [an extension]. Now I'm not saying we're going to do it for sure, but I'm not opposed to it."
Hield is not extension-eligible until the new league year begins on July 1. At that time, he would be eligible for a veteran extension, which under the current extension rules would allow Indiana to add up to four years to his contract and nearly nine figures of new money. Hield isn't worth that much at his age, but the current extension rules would allow it.
The Pacers are committed to improving defensively next season and want to win more games for a possible playoff push. If Hield shows early next season that he can maintain his offensive level and help the team grow on the defensive end, perhaps the Pacers would be willing to pursue a longer deal. If those steps don't happen, the veteran guard may not be a fit long term.
Indiana also needs to define Hield's role, as Pritchard mentioned. Between Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers have plenty of young talent deserving of minutes, and potentially starting spots. Figuring out how, and when, to play Hield, who came off the bench for his final seven appearances this past season, will be important for the blue and gold. If nothing works or feels natural, an extension seems unlikely.
Because so much of Hield's long-term future with the franchise depends on his growth and fit next season, according to Pritchard, an imminent extension feels unlikely. Many of the events that could influence Hield's role on the team come before next season, such as the draft and free agency, so more will be known in a few months. In the meantime, Hield's contract status will be something worth monitoring for a Pacers team that could still go many directions.
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