The Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers hooked up at the trade deadline as sharpshooter Buddy Hield was sent to the City of Brotherly Love. The Sixers are looking forward to Hield teaming up with Joel Embiid on the floor when the big fella returns.
Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton benefited greatly from having Hield on the floor as he allowed Haliburton to have the space he needed to operate. Since the trade back on Feb. 8, Haliburton is averaging just 15.9 points and shooting 26.8% from deep.
Before the deal, Haliburton was averaging 22.5 points and shooting 39.7% from deep. It’s safe to say he misses Hield on the floor.
On an episode of “Podcast P” with Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, Haliburton opened up on the loss of Hield (h/t FanNation):
With the trade and stuff, it’s been different, and I think on the court is obvious, right? He’s so prominent in our offense with what we do with a lot of ghost screens and the way we move. His presence shooting on the floor, that opens up a ton for me because you not going to be in as much in the gap if you’re guarding Buddy because you know how he is as a shooter. So it’s been a little different on the court, obviously. But I think off the court, it’s been kinda the biggest adjustment for me. He just has always carried this energy around him, and I think who he is as a person every day, not having that energy has been a little different.
In 19 games with the Sixers, 13 starts, Hield is averaging 13.7 points and shooting 39.7% from deep. He is still looking to find his groove in Philadelphia and his rhythm, but one has to figure that it will be easier for him when Embiid does eventually return from his meniscus procedure.
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