Grade the trade: Pelicans bring back sharpshooter in mock trade
By Mat Issa
As many of you are likely well aware, the Indiana Pacers are looking to trade Buddy Hield after contract extension talks stalled out between the two parties.
On Thursday, we discussed whether or not our New Orleans Pelicans should look to bring back the sharpshooter (remember, we were the team that drafted Hield way back when). And given how little shooting they had last season, we quickly settled on the notion that they should try and pursue Hield – for the right price, of course.
So, what is the right price for Hield?
In that same post, we looked at recent trades involving players with a similar skillset to Hield (great shooters who were more offensively-inclined players). The two guys we cited specifically were Luke Kennard and Bojan Bogdanovic.
While it was a three-team deal, the Memphis Grizzlies ultimately gave up three second-round picks and Danny Green (a salary filler) to get Kennard and a second-round pick. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons parted ways with Kelly Olynyk, Saben Lee, and cash considerations. So, basically, they gave up a starting-caliber player, a young flier, and some dough.
Hield is a better shooter than both of these guys (although Bogdanovic is a better offensive player overall), and he’s on an expiring deal. Given how many contending teams need more shooting/spacing, there is a good chance Hield commands a little more in the trade market than both of these guys did. But what would a realistic deal with Hield look like?
Well, also on Thursday, Jack Simone (the site manager for our Pacers page) came up with a mock trade involving his Pacers, Hield, and our Pelicans.
What did he come up with? We’re going to break that down, and provide trade grades for both parties.