One NBA writer is proposing that the Atlanta Hawks acquire shooting guard Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers this summer.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Hawks send power forward John Collins and a 2023 second-round pick to the Pacers for Hield and point guard T.J. McConnell. The goal for Atlanta would be to add another sharpshooter and a backup point guard, while Indiana addresses the four spot next to Myles Turner.
“Atlanta needs more scoring threats to take some heat off Trae Young, and Buddy Hield’s movement shooting could be a release valve,” Buckley wrote. “He is nearly unmatched as a quantity-plus-quality marksman. He has hit better than 260 triples in each of the past five seasons, splashing those long-range looks at a 40-percent clip.
“Beyond Hield, though, Atlanta would also add T.J. McConnell and maybe finally avoid the pitfalls that have so often come when Young needs a breather,” Buckley wrote. “McConnell is a playmaker at both ends, consistently flashing sound decision-making on offense (career 5.0 assists per game against 1.6 turnovers) and boundless energy on defense.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Atlanta Hawks Updates
Hield signed a four-year, $94 million contract with the Sacramento Kings in October 2019. The sharpshooter will make $18.6 million next season, the final year of his deal.
The 30-year-old Hield is one of the greatest shooters of all time. He was second in the NBA this season in 3-point field goals (288) and shot 42.5% from beyond the arc. The Oklahoma product is a career 40.2% shooter from 3-point land, which is good for 39th in NBA history.
Hield has career averages of 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists with the New Orleans Pelicans, Kings and Pacers. He put up 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season for the Pacers in 80 games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Pacers are building around guards Bennedict Mathurin and Tyrese Haliburton, so Hield could be placed on the trade block this summer. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks, who lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games, pursue a trade for Hield.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
