NBA Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should target Buddy Hield
At the beginning of the 2019-20 season, Buddy Hield pushed for a contract extension with the Sacramento Kings. Once he received his four-year, incentive-filled deal with the Kings, all outside noise was quieted. Then, it was reported in February that he wasn’t happy with his role with the team.
After being a starter for the first half of the season with the Kings, Hield was demoted to a bench role in late-January. That prompted his discontent with the team and now it appears that it will carry over into the offseason. With the Kings making a pivot in the front office, this could be the perfect time for a roster shakeup, which reportedly could include trading Hield.
Per a report from The Sacramento Bee, the expectation is that the Kings will attempt to trade Hield in the offseason.
A few things that need to be understood before moving forward: It’s not clear what the Kings would demand in return of Hield. And we don’t know which teams, if any, would be interested in trading for Hield. With that said, we explore five teams that should, at the very least, do their due diligence regarding the 27-year-old heading into the offseason.
Orlando Magic
For a team that has struggled with backcourt depth since the days of Jameer Nelson, the Orlando Magic should be viewed as one of the favorites to land Buddy Hield if he’s indeed on the trade block (assuming he’s a player the Magic like). With Markelle Fultz slotted as the starting point guard, and with Evan Fournier possibly leaving in free agency, Hield could be a target to fill their starting shooting guard spot.
Hield could step in as the starting shooting and potentially grow next to Fultz. Hield is coming off a season in which he averaged 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Good numbers, but where he struggled this past season was with his shooting numbers. He only shot 43 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range – career-worst numbers (with exception of his rookie season).
Has Hield fallen off as a player? Maybe. However, a new start could very be what Hield needs to have a bounce-back season. A trade to the Magic would give Hield an opportunity to get his career back on track. Plus, he could give a boost this Orlando franchise needs.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an interesting candidate to watch if Buddy Hield is truly placed on the trade block. If Zach LaVine is unhappy and wants a fresh start, perhaps they could swap him for Hield? Even though it’s highly unlikely that the Bulls would punt on LaVine with two years remaining on his contract, it is an interesting possibility.
If the Bulls didn’t want to lose LaVine for nothing in a couple of seasons, they could target a player like Hield who is under contract through the 2023-24 season. Hield would be given the green light in Chicago and could potentially emerge as the team’s No. 1 option – something he’s reportedly wanted.
The Bulls are still very much in the midst of a rebuild and adding any talent possible should be the goal. At the same rate, they can’t be losing talent at this point. If the Bulls have any fear of losing LaVine when his contract is up, perhaps they might start sniffing around to see what they could get on the open market for him. Hield could be in play.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons will be turning a new leaf this offseason and are heading toward a semi-rebuild. Could they take advantage of a disgruntled Buddy Hield and take him on as a reclamation project? He’s fit next to Blake Griffin in the offense and will be given the luxury of being more of a focal point, something probably that he wished he had in Sacramento.
If the Pistons are looking to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, adding Hield would be a solid pivot. He’s a proven scorer and has a good track record even though he was viewed as a disappointment. Hield is just 27 years old and probably still has his best basketball in front of him.
Could the Pistons take on Hield and find success as an overlooked, underdog Eastern Conference threat? Perhaps. Detroit has had trouble finding stars who want to play for the Pistons. This is a way they could find a star (who is under contract for four more years).
Philadelphia 76ers
During the playoffs, 3-point shooting is one of the variables that doomed the Philadelphia 76ers. Of the 16 playoff teams, the Sixers finished the postseason (four games) with the worst 3-point shooting numbers. The Sixers only shot 26 percent from deep on 121 total attempts (30 per game).
While not having Ben Simmons available was the talk of this team’s shortcomings at the hands of the Boston Celtics, not having viable shooting was almost equally as dooming. The Sixers never replaced the shooting lost in J.J. Redick during the offseason. They tried to off-set it with Josh Richardson (who had a down year from 3), and then with Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks at the NBA Trade Deadline.
The plan failed miserably. Now as the franchise heads in a new direction, perhaps adding more shooting will become a priority this offseason. Even in somewhat of a down season, Hield shot 39 percent from deep. I’m not sure how exactly a deal would get done, but he’s a player the Sixers should certainly keep an eye on.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies took advantage of pouncing on an available Justise Winslow at last year’s NBA Trade Deadline and it wouldn’t be all that surprising if they did something similar in the offseason. If Buddy is really looking for a change of scenery, perhaps playing next to Ja Morant would make Memphis appealing.
The Grizzlies have a myriad of young talent that they could send to Sacramento – perhaps a deal centered around Dillon Brooks would work – and perhaps playing off Morant would rejuvenize Buddy, who is coming off somewhat of a disappointing season with the Kings.
Buddy would get a fresh start and would play with one of the most exciting young teams in the Western Conference. Plus, after what transpired in the NBA’s restart bubble, there’s no question. that. the Grizzlies could use some veteran depth on their roster.
Buddy Hield may not be looked upon as a leader, but he’d offer valued experience – and shooting – to a team that will be looking to make a jump into the playoffs next season.