Buddy Hield Dealt To Eastern Conference Rival

His name has been in the rumor mill for a couple of years now, and finally, the Indiana Pacers have moved sharpshooter Buddy Hield, but the surprise is his destination: Eastern Conference rival Philadelphia 76ers.

The Pacers are trading Buddy Hield to the 76ers for Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round picks, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/eLEjwQ7ECh

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 8, 2024

In return, the Pacers receive Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round picks, as follows:

• 2024 2nd via Toronto Raptors
• 2029 2nd via Portland Trail Blazers
• 2029 2nd via LA Clippers

With the trade, the Sixers have gotten themselves out of the tax, in addition to adding one of the NBA's top three-point shooters. Hield has a career 40% mark from long distance, though this season is averaging a 7-year low 12 points per game, while shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc in 25 minutes a game.

The Sixers needed to do something, having lost seven of their last eight games and will be without Joel Embiid for at least the next four weeks as he recovers from surgery to repair his left knee meniscus.

Obviously, Hield won't help with that frontcourt void, but does add another deadly outside threat, which, if Embiid does return in time for the playoffs, will be a key piece for them as they attempt to reach the Finals for the first time in the Embiid era.

 Photo:Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports