In recent years, the NBA has undergone a three-point revolution. As a result, we’ve seen an influx of shooting specialists. Even if you offer little else on the floor, you’ll find your way into an NBA rotation if you’re one of the league’s best shooters.
Take Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers. Hield is a one-dimensional player. He’s not a great defender, and he doesn’t have much in the way of floor vision. Still, Hield is one of the best shooters in the world. For that reason, he’s a starting-caliber NBA player
Apparently, he’s also on the move. Hield and the Pacers can’t seem to reach a mutual conclusion on the value of Hield’s next contract. Since he’s due for a payday next summer, that means that the Pacers are likely to trade him. Could they send him to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for another shooting specialist?
The Trade Proposal
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Doug McDermott, F/C Khem Birch
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Buddy Hield
The league may have undergone a revolution. Shooting may be more valuable than ever before. That doesn’t mean that shooting specialists will always earn top dollar. If it did, Hield and the Pacers would have already agreed to an extension.
They haven’t. Perhaps the Pacers are weary of the holes in Hield’s game. If they’re going to give him a premium contract, they want to see some defense or some playmaking from him. As gifted of a shooter as Hield is, he hasn’t offered much of either throughout his NBA career. At this point, it’s doubtful that he ever will.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Who will pay Hield’s next contract? How much will they pay him? These questions will remain unanswered until next summer. Any team that acquired Hield now runs the risk of adding him as a one-year rental. Should the Spurs take that risk?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
Well, McDermott runs the same risk. He’s also on an expiring contract. Here, the Spurs are exploiting a buy-low opportunity. They’re flipping McDermott for a similar, but better player.
How much better is Hield? Frankly, not much. This is roughly a lateral move for both squads. Still, he is the better player. In particular, Hield is a more versatile shooter than McDermott. His ability to knock down triples off the dribble or catch should give the Spurs a more dynamic offense next year.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Is that San Antonio’s goal? We don’t know. If the Spurs are focused on procuring top lottery odds for a second consecutive season, they should pass on this deal. Alternatively, if they want to get Wembanyama a taste of winning early, they should be happy to flip McDermott for Hield. Should the Pacers take McDermott on?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
This is a simple trade for Indiana. They need to trade an elite floor spacer. They’re trading one for another one. This is an open and shut case.
McDermott may not be as good as Hield. That’s actually part of the appeal for the Pacers here. McDermott won’t command the same type of extension next summer. The Pacers are looking to add an elite shooter at an affordable long-term cost here. The fact that McDermott has already spent three years of his NBA career in Indiana could give them an inside track on negotiations next summer.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Meanwhile, the Pacers aren’t likely to seek to plunge to the bottom of the standings next year, either. If they want to stay competitive, they’ll need to replace the elite shooting that Hield brings to the table. After all, the league has already had its three-point revolution.
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