What makes for a good NBA contract? Sometimes, it’s in the eye of the beholder. Some contracts will be more or less desirable to different teams depending on their situation. The value of a contract doesn’t strictly come down to it’s dollar number.
Take Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers. He’s on an expiring contract. Reportedly, that’s made it difficult for the Pacers to find a market for him. Hield is a highly useful rotation player. Still, teams will be skeptical about moving much draft capital for a one-year rental.
Unless, of course, a team needed cap relief. If the Pacers were willing to take on an undesirable, long-term contract, it could come attached with a first-rounder. They just need to find a team that needs to clear some cap space. How about the Brooklyn Nets?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F/C Daniel Theis, G TJ McConnell
Indiana Pacers Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN)
In the meantime, no team awards a contract thinking it could be problematic. In a given moment, a team gives a player a contract that they think they reserve. Sometimes it works out that way – and other times, it doesn’t.
Take Buddy Hield. Nobody’s ever accused him of being overpaid. Hield is a shooting specialist, but he’s one of the very best three-point shooters in the NBA. His contract has always been fair – Hield has not been overpaid, or underpaid. By contrast, Ben Simmons’ deal is an entirely different matter.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Buddy Hield & Indiana Pacers Updates
When the Philadelphia 76ers gave him his lucrative rookie extension, it felt fair. At that time, Simmons was an All-NBA contributor. Fast forward to 2023, and Simmons’ deal is widely regarded as one of the worst in the NBA. Could the Pacers take him on anyway?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
For what it’s worth, the Pacers have seemingly been looking for a four. This team acquired Obi Toppin and drafted Jarace Walker this summer. Yet, they’ve still been linked to trade targets like Pascal Siakam, Tobias Harris, and others. The Pacers are trying to shore up that position.
Is Simmons an obvious solution? Of course not. Again – he’s widely seen as having one of the worst contracts in the league. With that said Simmons could make a comeback. He’s still young. If he turns his career around, Simmons could be a perfect fit in Indiana. Alongside an elite shooting playmaker like Tyrese Haliburton and a stretch big like Myles Turner, Simmons’ lack of a jump shot could actually be minimized.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Buddy Hield & Indiana Pacers Updates
If it isn’t? That’s OK. The Pacers are finding a way to flip Hield for a first-round pick. If Simmons doesn’t work out, this team will continue to rebuild – they can afford to sacrifice the financial flexibility they’ll lose by adding Simmons. Should the Nets give up a pick just to increase their own flexibility?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Well, that’s not the only reason that the Nets would do this deal. More than anything, they’re doing it to add Hield. He’s the type of elite movement shooter that can help any team with competitive aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Nets ought to have competitive aspirations. This team is sending their next first-round pick to the Houston Rockets no matter where they land in the standings. This deal should make them a better team in the short term. Yes, Hield is the centerpiece, but Brooklyn is adding two other players that they could use here as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets, Buddy Hield & Indiana Pacers Updates
McConnell is a heady playmaker and a strong defender. Theis is a stretch combo big that provides serviceable minutes. Meanwhile, the Nets also get to shed Simmons’ contract here. That should be worth a first-round pick – unless Simmons justified his deal in Indiana, that is.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
