Why This Trade Makes Sense For The OKC Thunder
From his college days to the first time he stepped on an NBA court, Buddy Hield has been a very dynamic scorer on the perimeter and a very strong perimeter-oriented threat. Since being traded to Sacramento during the 2016-17 season, Hield has averaged 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and has shot 44.5% from the floor and 41.4% from three-point range.
His gifted shooting abilities make him a very intriguing trade target for many teams around the league, the question though is whether or not Sacramento is willing to trade him. Last year, Hield and Sacramento Kings management did not seem to see “eye-to-eye” on things and he had his own disputes with head coach Luke Walton a couple of times.
Buddy needs a fresh start and the best place he could be traded to is the OKC Thunder given their potential to grow into a force in the West. His play-style fits exactly what they need right now in the backcourt alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the addition of Hield could ultimately push the Thunder into the playoffs.
With him being their only legit threat on the offensive end of the court, it would make perfect sense for the Thunder to want to acquire a shooter like Buddy Hield because of how good of an offensive weapon he is. Oklahoma City currently ranks 27th in total offensive production and is near the bottom of the league in three-point shooting.
Getting a proven scorer and three-point threat like Buddy Hield could not only give the Thunder another weapon next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but make them a very attractive team for a superstar talent in free agency next season. With guys like SGA, Hield, Dort and Bazley, as well as a bunch of draft picks, the Thunder could have a chance to land one or two more All-Star talents next offseason.
This would be a picture-perfect move by the Thunder and GM Sam Presti to acquire Buddy Hield to pair with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and if they do so, it would help make them a force in the Western Conference for years to come.
