NBA Trade Rumors: Indiana Pacers place Buddy Hield on trade block?

NBA Trade Rumors: After failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension, the Indiana Pacers are working to trade Buddy Hield. 

The Indiana Pacers have one of the NBA’s most intriguing young cores. With a budding superstar in Tyrese Haliburton, a few emerging young talents, and a strong collection of veteran talent behind him, the Pacers could emerge as one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference.

Over the past few years, Buddy Hield has been part of that strong veteran supporting cast. However, heading into the final year of his contract, there was very much uncertainty about his future with the team heading into the offseason.

At least for now, that uncertainty continues. And it’s looking more and more like his future with the team is pretty much non-existent. According to a recent report, after contract negotiations broke down, the Pacers and Hield are expected to work together to find a trade.

Heading into his age-31 season, the trade market for Hield should be strong.

Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers were likely headed toward a divorce

This is far from a surprising revelation. After signing Bruce Brown to a huge deal during the offseason, this was probably something that was going to happen either way. I can’t imagine the Pacers envisioned bringing Brown off the bench when he signed the free-agent deal. Trading Hield was probably something the Pacers anticipated happening at some point this season.

After not agreeing to a contract extension with him, there’s a bit more clarity on the situation. It would make sense for both sides to work together to find a deal that makes sense for both sides.

As a player on an expiring deal, it’ll be interesting to see what the market is for Hield. There will almost certainly be suitors, but that largely depends on what the asking price will end up being from the Pacers.

If Indiana could get a future first-round pick, they should take it and run. However, the timing of a trade could impact the compensation. If this lingers to the NBA Trade Deadline, perhaps two second-round picks and a player is more reasonable of a return for the Pacers.

That said, Hield is still a really good player at this point in his career. He’s coming off a season in which he averaged 17 points and five rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent shooting from 3-point range.