The Indiana Pacers have begun working to find a potential trade for Buddy Hield, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Hield is currently extension-eligible and can also renegotiate his contract with the Pacers, allowing him to increase his $19.3 million salary for this season. Hield rejected a recent extension offer, so the Pacers are expected to listen to trade offers for him.
Hield is coming off one of his strongest regular season performances where he shot 42.5 percent on three-pointers off 8.5 attempts per game. He is one of the best volume shooters in the league who ranked 6th last season in three-pointers made among players who attempted at least 5 three-pointers per game. He’s also one of the most reliable players in the league having only missed six games in his entire seven-year career.
Hield’s shooting, reliability, and role malleability to start and come off the bench, should make him an attractive trade target for many teams. His $19.3 million salary also makes him a relatively simple acquisition for most teams, especially now with the new expanded trade rules. Teams below the $172.3 million first apron only need to send out $11.8 million in outgoing salary to match for Hield.