Would a Buddy Hield Trade Make Sense For the OKC Thunder?

With Buddy Hield likely on his way out of Indiana, Oklahoma City could be a landing spot

After negotiations on a contract extension for Hield stalled, the Indiana Pacers are looking for potential trade partners, according to Shams Charania. The Oklahoma City Thunder have not made any big moves this offseason, but this could be an opportunity for them to make one.

If the Thunder trade for the former Oklahoma Sooner, they would likely send out Davis Bertans to make salaries match better. With Hield on an expiring contract, the Pacers may be willing to take Bertans along with draft compensation if no other team makes a better offer.

Hield’s role in Oklahoma City would almost certainly be as a sixth man. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey in the backcourt and the rest of the starting five all but determined, Hield would be the microwave off the bench for the team.

But Hield may not be quick to accept that role.

In his season and a half with the Pacers, Hield came off the bench just seven times. At 16.8 points per game last season, Hield would’ve been the second-leading scorer for the Thunder.

Even with a lesser role, Hield could run with the second unit and be a primary option in those minutes. Although he would not bring much to the Thunder as a creator for others, he would be a relatively consistent scoring threat with the bench group.

Of course, the Thunder would make this trade with the closing unit in mind as well. Hield is known for his shooting, and in a lineup where Lu Dort and Giddey are often the wings, Hield could provide some much-needed spacing for Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Hield shot 42.5% from 3-point range last season on more than eight attempts per game. Aside from the spacing that provides, Hield is a volume shooter and is willing to take as many shots as necessary. That would be especially useful in games where Gilgeous-Alexander or others are out with injuries.

However, the Thunder may already have their own Buddy Hield on a much better contract. Isaiah Joe has shown his ability as a knockdown shooter and has had stretches where he has excelled with an expanded role.

Along with being on a team-friendly contract for one more year than Hield, Joe is nearly seven years younger and fits the Thunder’s timeline perfectly. If the Thunder are going to trade for a significant contributor who is over 30 years old, it would likely be someone closer to all-star level.

But if the Thunder can make a deal for a legitimate weapon like Hield and not give up much in the process, Sam Presti will probably try to make it happen.

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