Indiana Pacers' shooting guard Buddy Hield has been the subject of recent trade rumors. Hield is entering the final year of his four-year contract which he signed with the Sacramento Kings prior to the huge Domantas Sabonis trade.
Regrettably, talks between Buddy Hield and the Pacers on a contract extension have recently hit a snag. Consequently, both sides are open to the possibility of a trade. Hield's precarious contract situation has sparked debate among many NBA fans on social media.
However, it seems trading Hield won't come easy for the Pacers. His impending free agency could become a potential hindrance, per Substack NBA Insider Marc Stein.
“The handful of execs I spoke to post-show were unanimous in their view that Hield's looming free agency, with only this coming season left on his current contract at $19.3 million, will complicate Indiana's efforts to generate offers that feature more than multiple second-round picks attached to the contract(s) needed to match Hield's salary,” Stein said.
Article Continues BelowMultiple executives believe that Buddy Hield looming free agency will complicate Indiana's efforts to generate offers that feature more than multiple second-round picks needed to match Hield's salary.
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Not only that, but Hield doesn't have a stellar reputation on defense. Plus, he has yet to taste NBA playoff basketball after playing for sub-par teams with the Kings and Pacers.
On the other hand, Buddy Hield has several upsides that make him an attractive trade option. He is a durable and reliable volume shooter who has sat out just five games in seven years. Buddy Hield is also a veteran who doesn't stir controversy off the basketball court.
All NBA players have pros and cons. Buddy Hield is no exception. With just one month left before the 2023-24 NBA season kicks off, the big question looms: where will Hield end up next?