The Philadelphia 76ers are actively seeking to bolster their lineup as they navigate through the absence of their star player, Joel Embiid. According to several sources, the Sixers have struck a deal to acquire Indiana Pacers' renowned shooter Buddy Hield, in exchange for Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz, and a trio of second-round draft picks.
Here's the breakdown of the trade:
The Sixers get Buddy Hield .
The Pacers get: Furkan Korkmaz, Marcus Morris A 2024 second-round pick (originally belonging to the Raptors) Two 2029 second-round picks (one from the LA Clippers and the other from the Blazers), Some cash considerations.
The significance of this trade for Philadelphia comes at a critical time. The team has been struggling, losing seven out of their last eight games, especially after Embiid's sidelining due to a left meniscus injury on January 30. With Embiid out for at least another four weeks following surgery, the Sixers are in dire need of a boost, having recorded a 4-12 record in his absence.
Hield, who is set to earn $19.2 million this season in the last year of his four-year contract, is expected to significantly improve the Sixers' 3-point shooting. Currently, the team's 3-point shooting percentage sits at a mere 31%. Hield's prowess from beyond the arc is anticipated to alleviate some of the scoring pressure off Tyrese Maxey, the All-Star guard who has found it challenging to fill the void left by Embiid.
While Hield's addition might not address the Sixers' frontcourt dilemmas, it undeniably enhances their perimeter scoring capabilities, offering a substantial threat from the three-point line as they gear up for the playoffs. Despite a reduced role with the Pacers this season, Hield has managed to maintain his reputation as a top-tier 3-point shooter, ranking 15th in the league with 137 3-pointers made.
Hield's career highlights include being one of the league's elite 3-point shooters, with averages of 12 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this season. Last year, he appeared in 80 out of 82 games, boasting an average of 16.8 points, 5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He also set a franchise record with 288 3-pointers, shooting at an impressive 42.5% from beyond the arc, securing him the second spot in the NBA for 3-pointers made and ninth in 3-point percentage.
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