Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension early last week. Therefore, they are looking for ways to trade the shooting guard while improving their team. On that note, here are two best and worst NBA trade destinations amid the latest rumors.
Good Fit: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics can be a good trade destination for Hield. The Celtics are looking for someone who can spread the court and create for himself aside from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Also, there are already rumors that Malcolm Brogdon is not happy with his situation in Boston. That can make for a good trade for both teams.
Hield is ranked amongst the best three point shooters in the league. In fact, he has the most three pointers made in the last five seasons. The Celtics last year were sixth in the league in team three point shooting at nearly 38%. It’s hard to believe they can be even better, but with Hield he gives them the upper edge and they can finish even higher if they trade for him this year.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Boston Celtics Updates
Furthermore, Hield was second in the league in catch and shoot threes just behind Klay Thompson. That can really help a team like the Boston Celtics who have two ball dominant players in Brown and Tatum. Ideally, they would want Hield spotting up and being ready to shoot at all times, and he can deliver.
Bad Fit: Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks would be interested in adding Hield to their lineup to pair with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, the Pacers don’t seem interested in receiving Tim Hardaway Jr., which would have been the proposed trade.
Besides the Pacers not wanting to make the trade, it might be a bad fit for the Dallas Mavericks either way. Although Hield brings some much needed shooting and spacing, the contract could be something the Mavericks would not want to take on. In the case that he becomes an integral part of the team, the Mavericks will need to overpay him when he becomes an unrestricted free agent to retain him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
If that doesn’t sound convincing enough, playing alongside Doncic and Irving might be challenging. Hield does not need the ball in his hands to score, but that does not mean he can’t create for himself. Hield is ridiculously efficient shooting the three off the dribble at 49.5%, trailing only Stephen Curry last season. Either way, the Pacers are essentially making this a bad trade destination although not the worst for Hield.
Best Fit: Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are possibly the best fit for the soon to be 31 year old shooting guard. There is a hole in their scoring output ever since Middleton got injured. He can’t be as productive as he once was in their championship season. That is where Hield can fill the void.
The good thing about this trade is that the Bucks won’t have to give up any of their core players. Instead, they would more likely part ways with Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton. Even though that would make them thin in the shooting guard position, it won’t affect their scoring. Hield averaged 17 points per game last season which was what Allen and Connaughton had combined.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Additionally, the Milwaukee Bucks are in a situation where they need to keep their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. Hield as mentioned before is great at catch and shoot threes as well as shooting the three off the dribble. That suits Giannis who had the highest usage rate last season, to have another scoring option. It also allows for Jrue Holiday to play a more traditional point guard role and focus on defense where the Bucks mostly need him.
Worst Fit: Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards might be the worst fit of all the teams mentioned above for Hield to land. Washington is looking for a shooting guard to replace Bradley Beal who they lost to the Phoenix Suns, but it doesn’t look like Buddy is the answer.
Washington looks to be in a rebuilding mode, with their two best players being Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. Hield would struggle to fit here because the team simply won’t be competing for anything significant. That could affect his motivation but he would also definitely leave after his contract is over. Simply put, the interest for Hield just won’t exist.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Washington Wizards Updates
Washington on the other hand would probably be thrilled to have him. With Poole at point guard and Kuzma at the power forward position, they can add another scoring punch with Hield. For now, that is just a dream that doesn’t seem likely. The Pacers would also not be interested in this trade due to the Washington Wizards not having anything significant to give in return.
The Buddy Hield trade rumors could be coming to an end depending on what the Pacers do next. If they decide to keep him, he will likely leave at the expiration of his contract. The better idea is to look to get some pieces in return and above are the best and worst trade destinations.
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