The Sacramento Kings are approaching the NBA trade deadline with big plans and sharpshooter Buddy Hield is one of the likeliest trade candidates who could be moved. While plenty of NBA contenders are focused on other positions, there are some intriguing possibilities for Hield.
Hield, the 2020 NBA Three-Point Champion, is one of the game’s top shooters from beyond the arc. While his efficiency behind the three-point line varies, especially on one of the most disorganized NBA teams, he offers an elite skill that playoff contenders need.
- Buddy Hield stats: 15.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 38.3% 3PT, 3.5 3PM per game, 108 Offensive Rating
The Kings have almost traded him in the past but the Los Angeles Lakers backed out of a deal this summer. With Hield still unhappy in Sacramento, desperately wanting to play for a contender, it’s no surprise NBA executives told Marc Stein that a deal feels inevitable in February.
With that in mind, let’s examine the best landing spots for a Buddy Hield trade.
Dallas Mavericks put shooting around Luka Doncic
The Dallas Mavericks just can’t seem to find the right complementary talent to plug around Luka Doncic. Offseason acquisition Reggie Bullock is shooting just 32% from the perimeter this season after hitting 41% and averaging 2.5 3PM per game in 2020-’21 with Dallas. The Mavs need outside shooting and Hield provides that.
- Sacramento Kings trade: Buddy Hield
- Dallas Mavericks trade: 2027 first-round pick, Josh Green, Dwight Powell, Boban Marjanovic
Doncic is signed to the supermax extension, so there is little reason to worry about a 2027 first-round pick. As for Josh Green, the 18th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has only played 70 combined games approaching the midway point of his second season. A nonfactor in the Mavericks’ rotation, Dallas should be happy to get something for him.
As for Sacramento, the long-term incentive here is obvious. Green gives them a young guard to throw some minutes at behind De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell. Powell could come off the bench behind Richaun Holmes and the Mavericks’ 2027 first-round pick is a trade asset for a franchise with very few.
Boston Celtics swing trade for Buddy Hield
There’s no doubt the Boston Celtics would love to swing a De’Aaron Fox trade, but it seems the Kings don’t plan to move him. So, a general manager who the franchise had conversations with at the trade deadline a year ago pitches a different idea. In this scenario, Hield addresses the Celtics’ shooting woes.
- Boston Celtics trade: Al Horford, Aaron Nesmith, 2022 BOS first-round pick (lottery protected)
- Sacramento Kings trade: Buddy Hield
Entering late January, Boston ranks 24th in three-point shooting (33.8%) but is taking the 13th-most attempts from the primer per game (35.9). Firing from the corner is one of this team’s weaknesses and something Hield can fix. As February approaches, Hield is sinking 40% of his treys from either corner.
In this deal, Boston uses the Al Horford contract to take Hield’s deal. In exchange for Sacramento taking on the bloated contract, with only $14.5 million of his $26.5 million salary is guaranteed, the Kings pick up Aaron Nesmith to pair with the Celtics’ 2022 first-round pick. Horford can either play alongside Holmes or be moved this offseason.
Memphis Grizzlies strike while iron is hot
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the best stories thus far during the 2021-’22 NBA season. Expectations weren’t especially high for this young team, especially after the Ja Morant injury. But he returned sooner than expected and immediately played at an All-Star level. Meanwhile, players like Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane are taking steps forward.
- Sacramento Kings receive: De’Anthony Melton, Jarrett Culver, Ziaire Williams
- Memphis Grizzlies receive: Buddy Hield, Terence Davis
There are plenty of ways the Grizzlies can attack, but perimeter shooting isn’t a strength. Memphis averages just 33.3 three-point attempts per game this season and it ranks 22nd in shooting percentage (33.9%) from beyond the arc
Hield would benefit from playing alongside Morant, who is a superior guard to Fox. The Grizzlies’ coaching staff would likely also have some success getting Hield to buy in more defensively/ But the focus here is the shooting as Hield makes Memphis more challenging for opponents, especially in a Western Conference with the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks among the worst perimeter defenses in the league.
Losing Melton hurts, but the emergence of Bane and the steady play of Tyus Jones makes the 23-year-old guard more expendable. For Sacramento, Melton’s defense (105 Defensive Rating), energy and youth are all reasons why he is the perfect trade target. As for Williams, there’s two-way upside at a weakness on the Kings’ roster.