Five Potential Trade Destinations for Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield is reportedly being brought up in trade talks for the Sacramento Kings. Hield, 27, was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 6th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. The Kings shooting guard has averaged 15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in his professional career. Since Sacramento has been looking to trade Hield we look at what five NBA teams could be interested in the former Oklahoma Sooner?
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are not in a position to succeed and need a lot of help. Hield could be that first player to lead the team in the right direction. The Knicks will likely trade Julius Randle to make up for Hield’s salary cap. The Knicks will likely not be forced to trade a whole lot for the shooting guard. An ideal trade for New York would be Randle and a pick or two for Hield. Another player that could also be involved in trade talks would be Reggie Bullock. Sacramento may attempt to receive Mitchell Robinson in return, but the Knicks would likely decline.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis may be a Western Conference team that Hield could be sent to. The Grizzlies have three young stars in Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Brandon Clarke. Memphis will want to keep all three of them, but still have some pieces to add another young stud. The Grizzlies could trade players like Justice Winslow, Dillon Brooks, and Kyle Anderson, along with picks in return for Hield. Point guard, Tyus Jones, could also be included in a trade. The Grizzlies have enough pieces that they could complete a trade for Hield, without giving up any draft selections, but if they want to keep Morant, Jackson Jr., and Clarke, they will likely have to give up a pick.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are in need of shooting in the backcourt. Philadelphia could look to trade for Hield and pair him up with Ben Simmons. The 76ers could trade a player like Matisse Thybulle and Tobias Harris for Hield. However, due to Harris’ contract, Sacramento would have to trade another player along with Hield. That player may be someone like Jabari Parker or Corey Joseph.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are going to be without Klay Thompson for a second consecutive year. Hield could be one of the replacements for Golden State along with Kelley Oubre Jr. for the 2020-2021 NBA season. After the season, the Warriors can look to trade Hield or move Thompson to small forward. The Warriors will have to trade one of Andrew Wiggins or Draymond Green for Hield. Wiggins will be the more likely current Warrior to be involved in the trade. If the Warriors end up trading Wiggins, they will likely send just one draft pick in return for Hield or possibly none.
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans can bring back it’s 2016 first-round pick back in a trade. To land Hield, the Pelicans can move Eric Bledsoe who came in the Jrue Holiday trade to make up for Hield’s salary. New Orleans can also trade a player like Josh Hart in the deal. The Pelicans will have to include draft selections in a deal for Hield. With the addition of Hield, New Orleans could compete, once again, in the Western Conference.
