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The Indiana Pacers (20-40) hit the reset button ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline. After dealing Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pacers then traded star big man Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a 2023 second-rounder to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for promising sophomore guard Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson. The Pacers already released Thompson, who promptly signed with the Chicago Bulls.
Although the Pacers made this deal with an eye toward the future in order to acquire Haliburton, it is Hield who is the player with the most to prove. After all, Hield is now the highest-paid player on Indiana’s roster.
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Buddy Hield is Pacers player with most to prove after All-Star break
The former sixth overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, Hield has shown the potential for stardom in the past. It’s why the Kings handed him a four-year, $94 million contract extension prior to the 2019-20 regular season. Ultimately, the shooting guard never lived up to the contract during his time in Sacramento. He was relegated to the second string, logging starts in just six of 55 games with the Kings this season. Hield averaged 14.4 points per contest — his lowest output since being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to Sacramento in his rookie campaign. He shot 36.8% on 3-pointers prior to the trade — the worst mark of his career.
In his first four contests (all starts) with the Pacers, Hield has posted per-game averages of 20 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 39.0 minutes. He erupted for a season-best 36 points earlier this month, drilling eight triples in the defeat against the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks:
In his 36-point performance for the @Pacers last night, Buddy Hield became the 11th player this season to hit 8+ threes on 12 or fewer attempts: https://t.co/gwl5LT4Odo pic.twitter.com/Z4KsK2nfmZ
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) February 16, 2022
The results have been excellent for Hield thus far in Indiana. However, Hield could soon see a minutes decrease upon the return of guard Malcolm Brogdon. After missing the past 28 games with an Achilles injury, Brogdon is nearing a return to action. Brogdon will likely slide back into the starting backcourt, alongside the recently acquired Haliburton. This would move Hield to the bench, albeit in a high usage role with the second unit — similar to how he was utilized this year with the Kings.
Hield, an excellent source of offense and a dependable shooter from long range, would see his stock hit when he is shifted out of the starting five. He will have to compete for minutes with rookie guard Chris Duarte. All told, the Pacers might not even envision the 29-year-old Hield as part of their long-term future. And yet, Hield could prove valuable down the stretch run for the Pacers. The better he plays post-All-Star break, the more likely an opposing team will look to acquire the guard in the offseason.
Owed $39 million over the upcoming two seasons, Hield is by no means on a cheap contract. But an opposing club could roll the dice on him if they feel he could lift them over the hump. The Los Angeles Lakers have tried for over a year to acquire Hield. Not only did a deal fall through for Hield this offseason, the Lakers reportedly tried to land Hield at this past trade deadline before the Pacers acquired him in the six-player move.
Come this summer, there could plenty of more suitors for Hield — especially if he proves his value down the closing months of the regular season with the Pacers.
