Sixers: Pacers GM Speaks on Buddy Hield Situation
Last week, it was revealed the Indiana Pacers would test the trade waters by taking calls regarding their veteran sharpshooter, Buddy Hield.
As a player who’s been often rumored to be a target of the Philadelphia 76ers’, it came as no surprise that they were once again linked to Hield in some capacity, as the reports noted the veteran would be available for another trade.
“Any contending team — the Lakers were long-rumored for Buddy Hield — but you look at teams like Dallas, Philly, Milwaukee, I mean those are the types of teams that could definitely use a shooter like Buddy Hield,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania said last week. “They’ve had a level of interest in him over the last several months, but of course, no deal has happened yet.”
Prior to Hield’s run with the Pacers, he was a seasoned veteran on a struggling Sacramento Kings team. Growing disgruntled over time, Hield was frequently on the trade block and certainly a fan-favorite trade target for those who root for the 76ers.
When Hield was ultimately traded, though, he landed in Indiana. As the Pacers made a big swing on Tyrese Haliburton, they landed Hield as well, closing the chapter on the Domantas Sabonis era.
While the assumption is that Indiana will move on from Hield sometime soon, their General Manager Chad Buchanan hinted that they don’t feel like they are in a trade Buddy or bust situation.
“Buddy is someone that we love having on our team,” he said. “We want him on our team this year. The business of basketball comes into play at times, we’ve had talks with him about an extension, and those talks are at a half right now. That’s not to say that they’re done. We’d like to have Buddy with us. We have no intention of trying to move Buddy, but it’s also our job to listen if opportunities come that help us improve the team. That’s what we have to do as a front office, but our intention is to have Buddy on the team this year and have him be a big part of our group."
It’s apparent that Hield wants a contract extension as he reaches the final season of his current deal. While the Pacers reportedly extended an offer, Hield wasn’t satisfied. That’s how they get to this point.
The Sixers could be one of a handful of teams to explore the idea of adding Hield, but it doesn’t seem like they jumped at the opportunity to discuss a deal with the Pacers so far. Based on Buchanan’s latest update, it seems Hield isn’t exactly forcing his way out. Perhaps the situation will change as training camp approaches.
