Rockets Trade Rumors: Kevin Porter Jr. for Buddy Hield?

Buddy Hield is on the trade market, and the Indiana Pacers could call the Houston Rockets about a deal.

Jeremy Brener | Sep 25, 2023

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are about to start training camp, and they have a big question mark when it surrounds Kevin Porter Jr. and the trade market.

Porter Jr. has likely played his final game with the Rockets after he was arrested on charges of felony assault and strangulation.

According to The Athletic, the Rockets are working on a trade for Porter Jr. ... and they might have a trade partner in the Indiana Pacers, who are looking to deal Buddy Hield.

Perhaps a trade between the Pacers and Rockets could kill two birds with one stone.

Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) celebrates a made shot in the overtime against the Houston Rockets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. — Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) celebrates a made shot in the overtime against the Houston Rockets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

"Houston would send Porter, whom Indiana would immediately waive, to the Pacers along with a draft pick or two for Hield," CBS Sports writes. "He couldn't take on Porter's ball-handling duties, but in truth, the Rockets shouldn't want him to. Aside from VanVleet, Jalen Green and No. 4 overall pick Amen Thompson, Houston already has a center that desperately needs more usage in Alperen Sengun. What they need after ranking dead last in the NBA in 3-point percentage last season is some more shooting. Hield can certainly add that."

Hield's biggest asset is his shooting — which any team could utilize — but for Houston specifically, it is a big plus. Hield finished with a 42.6 percent clip as a primary 3-point shooter, putting him in position to not only add elite shooting to the Rockets, but even lead the team overall.

The Rockets are set to begin training camp on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Published Sep 25, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.