NBA rumors: Could Buddy Hield news restart OG Anunoby talks with Raptors?

It remains to be seen if the Toronto Raptors are truly going to throw their hat in the Damian Lillard ring, as he would require a ton of capital to be surrendered. Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield, however, might be a more manageable trade target for Toronto.

Hield and the Pacers are looking for a trade after contract extension talks started to break down. Hield is still a valuable 3-point shooter, and the Raptors might be willing to restart trade discussions with Kevin Pritchard centered around one of Toronto’s best players.

OG Anunoby is likely not going to be treated just for the sake of making a move, but the Raptors will likely be willing to part ways with him if the perfect offer comes away. The Pacers have had some interest in Anunoby in the past, and they could be more motivated to make a deal with the Raptors.

Any Anunoby trade with the Pacers will likely include Hield being sent to Toronto. Even as he’s getting older, a young team that needs more 3-point shooting should consider moving off Anunoby one year before he hits free agency. Signing Hield to a cheaper contract afterward might be the best way forward.

NBA rumors: Toronto Raptors should target Buddy Hield

Hield averaged 16.8 points per game last season while drilling a ridiculous 42.5% of his 3-pointers on over eight attempts per game. A career 40% 3-point shooter on 7.7 attempts per game, Hield might be the best pure 3-point shooter in the Eastern Conference.

While Gradey Dick is expected to play some sort of important role in his rookie season, Hield could be a better short-term upgrade for a Raptors team that is trying to get into the postseason in Darko Rajakovic’s first season. Hield will turn 31 this season, but his shooting will age well.

If this franchise is able to coax multiple first-round picks out of Indiana in exchange for Anunoby, they could bring in an impactful shooter for cheaper, restock their barren draft cupboards, and free up more money that could be allocated to names like Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes.

If Toronto can acquire Hield without giving up Anunoby, that would be quite the coup for Masai Ujiri. If they want him and a collection of picks to be the main attractions in an Anunoby trade package, the future might end up turning for the better.

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