- The Clippers land Buddy Hield in this proposed trade
- Hield brings durability and 3PT shooting to the team
- The Pacers get solid value for an expiring contract
The Los Angeles Clippers have decided to run it back with their stars, and from a talent perspective, that is the right choice. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both elite. However, that doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t need reinforcements. This potential trade could help them improve.
In this article, we cover a trade scenario that sends Indiana Pacers shooting guard Buddy Hield to the Clippers. The trade package would send Marcus Morris’ expiring contract and future assets to the Pacers.
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: Marcus Morris, Bones Hyland, 2024 Second-Round Pick (TOR via LAC)
Buddy Hield is a player that is one of the best 3PT shooters in the league, and the Los Angeles Clippers are a team that heavily relies on the 3PT shot in their system. Hield could be a game-changer for the team, and here is why this trade should be made.
The Los Angeles Clippers Add A Durable 3PT Shooter Who Is Fantastic On Offense
Buddy Hield is an experienced veteran, who, in theory, is a perfect fit for the Los Angeles Clippers. Hield’s shooting ability stands out from the rest of the league, and it is fair to say that he is a top 5 3PT shooter in the NBA. The shooting guard can hit even the most difficult shots from range, whether they be off the dribble or the catch.
In Indiana, Buddy Hield took full advantage of Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking, and perhaps Hield could develop a similar rapport with Russell Westbrook as the starting shooting guard. The attention he commands from beyond the arc should also make things easier for stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and if they get doubled by opposing defenses, Hield should be able to punish that type of coverage. This past season, Buddy Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 42.5% from 3PT range.
One key factor as to why the Los Angeles Clippers would particularly benefit from Buddy Hield’s addition is his durability. The team has struggled in that regard during the Kawhi Leonard – Paul George era, and if the two stars miss time, Hield’s offensive prowess should help keep the team afloat. Buddy Hield played 80 games during the 2022-23 season, and simply playing games makes him a good addition to the franchise.
The reason that this trade is low-risk for the Los Angeles Clippers is that they wouldn’t have to give up many valuable assets to get Buddy Hield. Marcus Morris is on an expiring contract and is mostly in this deal for salary-matching purposes. Bones Hyland is a talented young guard, who likely isn’t ready to contribute to a championship-winning team. The second-round pick would be a sweetener. Giving up fringe rotation players and a second-round pick for a player of Buddy Hield’s caliber is worth it.
The one thing to note is that Buddy Hield is on an expiring contract, and could leave at the end of the 2023-24 season in free agency. Still, there is a high chance of the Los Angeles Clippers managing to retain him: they are located in a prime city, and Steve Ballmer is willing to pay elite players what they’re worth. Overall, this trade is a no-brainer for the Los Angeles Clippers, and Buddy Hield is an elite player for the team on many levels.
The Indiana Pacers Get A Young Guard And Minor Draft Compensation
If Buddy Hield has no intentions of signing an extension with the Indiana Pacers in the upcoming months, then it is in the franchise’s best interests to move him. Though he is clearly a good basketball player, Hield doesn’t fit the timeline of young players such as Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin. There are clear reasons for the Indiana Pacers to make a trade involving Buddy Hield, and the Los Angeles Clippers can offer a solid trade package in return for the veteran.
Marcus Morris is on an expiring $17.1 million contract, but he could still have some use for the Indiana Pacers on the trade market at the 2024 deadline. There will likely be teams looking to shed long-term salaries to avoid the punitive luxury tax restrictions under the new CBA, and Marcus Morris would ensure that those teams would save money by making a trade with the Indiana Pacers.
The future assets included in this deal are Bones Hyland and the Toronto Raptors’ 2024 second-round pick. Bones Hyland could be a solid backcourt partner for Tyrese Haliburton in this scenario, with Bennedict Mathurin moving to the SF position. Last season, Bones Hyland averaged 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets while shooting 37.8% from 3PT range. Hyland has shown some ability to handle the ball, shoot off the dribble, and create for himself, and it is clear that he needs an opportunity to grow. He would get plenty of playing time on the Indiana Pacers, and Hyland could become the best version of himself there.
Overall, for the Indiana Pacers, this trade is about getting value for a veteran on an expiring contract. This deal from the Los Angeles Clippers allows them to do just that, and they would also do right by the veteran by sending him to a competitive team.
This Trade Could Be The Answer For The Los Angeles Clippers
In many ways, Buddy Hield solves a lot of the Los Angeles Clippers’ current problems. He is a durable player that can help the team withstand injuries to their stars, and he adds even more 3PT shooting to the team’s roster. Hield will create a lot of space for Russell Westbrook to operate in as well, and it is clear that he is the perfect backcourt partner for the point guard.
It remains to be seen if the Los Angeles Clippers will contact the Indiana Pacers about a trade with this framework. This could certainly be a beneficial deal for both teams, and we’ll see what happens in the future.
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