Pacers running into ‘trouble’ with Buddy Hield trade, per insider

The Indiana Pacers are eyeing a change ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season, specifically for expiring contract and sharp-shooting guard Buddy Hield it seems. Hield, who’s been with the Pacers since the homestretch of the 2021-22 season, coming over via trade with the Sacramento Kings, has been a popular name on the trade rumor mill dating back to last season.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, his initial view point that a trade for Hield could net a first-round pick, which he said on 97.1 The Freak (via Bleacher Report), received some disagreement from “several NBA executives.” As Stein circled back on the topic, he reported that the Pacers may have some trouble getting a round one pick back in a deal for Hield, which he revealed on his Substack.

"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 wrote.

It’s an interesting topic, as Hield could provide a ton of value for a contender with instant scoring and outside shooting. The 30-year-old has posted two of his four best seasons (or partial seasons) in his career from a scoring perspective while with Indiana. Although he played just 26 games with the team in 2021-22, Hield averaged 18.2 points on 44.7 shooting from the field with 5.1 rebounds and a career-best 4.8 assists per game.

During the 2022-23 season, Hield played in 80 games, starting 73 and shooting 45.8 percent from the field while averaging marks of 16.8 points, five rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He also shot 42.5 percent from three-point range, his best percentage since the 2018-19 season.