Indiana Pacers Receive: F Gordon Hayward, 2022 First-Round Pick (via NOP)
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G Buddy Hield, C Goga Bitadze, F/C Isaiah Jackson
The Charlotte Hornets’ goal this offseason should be looking to upgrade their situation in the middle. Montrezl Harrell was a solid addition at the trade deadline, but his shortcomings were on full display during their Play-In Game against the Atlanta Hawks.
He and Mason Plumlee were upgrades on Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo, but the Hornets could certainly use more. In this deal with the Indiana Pacers, they are taking a shot on two young big men in Goga Bitadze and Isaiah Jackson.
Bitadze has some inside-out potential with his 3-point shooting and shot-blocking. Jackson is extremely athletic, albeit raw, pogo stick big man. They could battle it out with Kai Jones for minutes behind Plumlee and James Borrego could hope that one of them emerges as a bonafide starting option.
Buddy Hield fits their style of play offensively perfectly. The up-tempo style is one that he can thrive in as a spot-up shooter for LaMelo Ball to find around the perimeter. His presence would open things up even more for the team offensively as an efficient, high-volume 3-point shooter.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Pacers With Projected Top 5 Draft Pick
Hayward can slide right into the starting small forward spot for Indiana and provide some solid all-around play when he is healthy. Indiana is lacking options at small forward unless they play Hield or Chris Duarte there out of position. Acquiring Hayward makes moving on from Malcolm Brogdon that much easier as he can provide secondary playmaking alongside Tyrese Haliburton.
The Indiana Pacers are also getting a 2022 first-round pick in the deal via the New Orleans Pelicans, giving them more capital to work with this year.
