The NBA season is right around the corner. Training camp will soon be underway. With that said, there is unfinished business around the league. Plenty of rumors remain unresolved.
None are as important as those surrounding Damian Lillard. Will he join the Toronto Raptors? Or, will he join the Miami Heat as he was originally meant to? Fans around the league are widely anticipating the outcome of that situation. What will the Heat do if they aren’t able to land Lillard?
Well, they could turn to another unresolved situation. Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers are apparently working together to find a trade. Hield will soon be due for a new contract, and apparently, the Pacers don’t want to give it to him. Should the Heat?
The Trade Proposal
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, F Haywood Highsmith, 2026 Second-Round Pick (LAL via MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G/F Buddy Hield
In fact, teams will be more apprehensive to make deals once training camp is underway. At some point, they’ll have to accept that the roster they have is the one they’re starting the year with. If its not working, they can make moves down the road.
After all, chemistry counts. Once teams have their players practicing together, they’ll want to see what their group might offer. We’re not saying that there won’t be deals throughout the year – there will. Still, there are periods of higher and lower activity. Soon, we should be in a relatively low activity period.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Miami Heat Updates
All of which makes this exact moment ripe for a trade. Who knows? Lillard would be on the Heat by the time you read this article. If he isn’t, should Miami pivot to Hield?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
This isn’t complicated for Miami. Hield is better than Robinson. They’re similar players. Both men are elite floor spacers who offer little else on the floor. Hield is simply a little better in all of the areas that each man struggles in.
At times, Robinson can be a defensive liability. Hield is average. Robinson is more of a pure floor spacer, whereas Hield can create his own shot in a pinch., There’s no other way to put it: Hield will be an upgrade over Robinson.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Miami Heat Updates
As for his contract? The Heat can cross that bridge when they come to it. If they’re successful enough this season, they may opt to extend Hield. If they fall short of expectations, they’re shedding Robinson’s contract. Should the Pacers take that contract on?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Sure. Robinson’s contract is much maligned. To be sure, he’s a bit overpaid. It shouldn’t be a big deal to the Pacers. In fact, preserving Hield’s contract slot could be advantageous to them in making moves down the line.
Why don’t the Pacers want to extend Hield? Well, we should assume that he wants a pay raise. Surely, the Pacers aren’t concerned with offering Hield money at his current pay rate. So, taking Robinson’s deal shouldn’t be a concern for the Pacers.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, Haywood is a solid addition to this group as well. He’s not a star, but he’s a solid defensive wing who can play the 4. The Pacers could use some depth at that position. If they’re interested in him, expect them to get this deal done before training camp is underway.
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