(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers acquired sharpshooter Buddy Hield and rising guard Tyrese Haliburton midway through the 2021-22 season, and it gave them plenty of hope for the future.
Haliburton became an All-Star for the first time last season, and Hield is one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters, which gave the Pacers the desire to keep Hield for some years to come.
But once both sides couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension, Indiana reportedly decided to look to trade the 30-year-old.
Still, GM Chad Buchanan said they “have no intention to move” him and that they intend to “have him be a big part of” their team, per Evan Sidery.
Pacers GM Chad Buchanan confirms extension talks with Buddy Hield are currently in a standstill, but they intend on having him play a big role on their team this season:
“Buddy is somebody we love having on our team. We want him on our team this year. The business of basketball… pic.twitter.com/mFrt0PdCh5
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) September 26, 2023
Last season, Hield put up 16.8 points a game while making 42.5 percent of his 8.5 3-point attempts per game.
In fact, he has been second in made 3-point field goals in each of the last four seasons.
Buddy Hield has finished 2nd in 3PM in each of the last four seasons
‘23:
1. Klay Thompson – 301
2. Buddy Hield – 288
‘22:
1. Stephen Curry – 285
2. Buddy Hield – 262
‘21:
1. Stephen Curry – 337
2. Buddy Hield – 282
‘20:
1. James Harden – 299
2. Buddy Hield – 271 pic.twitter.com/4z6Y3R7xRM
— Lucas Burns (@nba_indepth) September 23, 2023
Hield and Haliburton would make a nice nucleus for Indiana to build around over the next few years if they can agree on an extension with Hield, but if that doesn’t happen, he would be a nice piece for a number of teams looking to get to the next level.
The Pacers went 35-47 last season and missed the play-in tournament, and given how young their roster is, a couple of draft picks and a rotational player would be a nice return for Hield at this point.
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