According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Indiana Pacers are building trade offers around a Buddy Hield package.
Hield turned down an extension offer from the Pacers earlier in the season. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.
“The Pacers, league sources say, have been building trade offers around a package of Buddy Hield (who’s in the final season of his current contract at $18.6 million) and a future first-round pick,” Stein wrote.
Hield is making $18.6 million this season. He signed a four-year, $94 million extension with the Sacramento Kings in October 2019.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers Updates
Hield is averaging 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks this season while shooting 43.7% from the field, 38.1% from beyond the arc and 84.0% from the free-throw line. He has made 106 3-pointers.
The 31-year-old Hield has career averages of 15.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks with the New Orleans Pelicans, Kings and Pacers. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma.
Indiana is being smart by trying to trade Hield so the organization doesn’t lose the guard for nothing in the offseason once free agency starts. It will be intriguing to see if the Pacers find a trade suitor for Hield.
In the past, Hield has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers and Sixers are expected to be active on the trade market before the trade deadline in February. Hield is one of the top shooters in NBA history, so he should receive interest from multiple teams.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers Updates
Among active players, Hield is 11th in career in 3-point field goals.
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