Pacers assembling potential trade packages around Buddy Hield and future first-round draft pick, per report

Hield is on an expiring contract

According to a recent report from Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Indiana Pacers have constructed some trade proposals that included guard Buddy Hield as well as a first-round pick.

"The Pacers, league sources say, have been building trade offers around a package of Buddy Hield (who's in the final season of his current contract at $18.6 million) and a future first-round pick," Stein shared on Sunday.

It should be noted that this report from Stein was published prior to Indiana's blockbuster acquisition of Pascal Siakam. The Pacers sent out three first-round picks in that trade, including two of their own that are protected, so their Hield package(s) may be different now.

Regardless, it stands to reason that the blue and gold would think about Hield's future with the trade deadline approaching. The 31-year old guard is on an expiring contract, and once the trade deadline passes, the Pacers no longer control Hield's future with the franchise. He will be an unrestricted free agent in July unless he inks a contract extension.

There were reports in late September of 2023 that the Pacers and Hield had unsuccessful extension talks and then moved on to discussing trade possibilities. The Pacers, however, shared that they wanted to keep Hield going into the season despite the contractual hurdles.

"Buddy's somebody that we love having on our team. We want him on our team this year," general manager Chad Buchanan said four months ago. A report from HoopsHype last month indicated that the blue and gold still had a high asking price for the sweet jump shooter.

Hield will be eligible for a veteran extension with Indiana up until June 30. Because the Pacers used up their salary cap space in the trades that netted them Siakam, they can no longer renegotiate and extend the guard's contract — which is the strategy the team used with center Myles Turner last season.

The eight-year pro is averaging 12.8 points per game this season while shooting 38.5% from deep. His outside shot hasn't been as strong this campaign, but Hield still creates spacing and is respected by defenses.

"Perfect world? I mean, I'm here. They traded for me so I expect that. I love being around the teammates, I love (head coach) Rick [Carlisle]," Hield said of his future with the Pacers in early October.

Short of an extension, though, the front office in Indiana has to think about Hield trades. Since his contract ends at the end of this season, figuring out what value he has on the trade market, especially when combined with draft compensation, makes a ton of sense.

That said, the Siakam deal could cloud things. If the blue and gold are no longer willing to part with more draft capital, then dealing Hield will look different. He may be viewed as a rental, so his value could be higher to Indiana than it would be in trades, and using his skills for a playoff push could be worth rolling the dice on his free agency in July.

Still, this is worth keeping an eye on for the Pacers franchise. Their timeline changed the second they made the Siakam trade, and their transactions going forward will likely reflect that.

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