The OKC Thunder are poised for one of the most exciting seasons in Bricktown since 2017 and are led by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the best young core in the sport littered with lottery talent such as Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace to go along with their bench depth.
Many expect the Oklahoma City Thunder to make a strong push for the postseason this year after a 16-win improvement that netted them 40 wins and a play-in tournament bid; how far can this Thunder squad get? That remains to be seen, much like this young core who has not played a game together yet, as Chet Holmgren was sidelined all of last season with a Lisfranc Fracture.
Should the OKC Thunder go after Disgruntled hometown star Buddy Hield? What would the asking price be?
As the NBA world turns, even just weeks away from training camp, we see players demand a trade at the drop of a hat. The Indiana Pacers and Buddy Hield have seen talks stall on a potential contract extension, leading to the two sides working toward a possible trade of the sharpshooter.
There is a real case that Buddy Hield is the 2nd-best 3-point shooter in the NBA.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) September 21, 2023
Outside of Steph, there are only 12 times in history where a player has averaged 40% from 3 on at least 8 3PA/G for a season.
Buddy has AVERAGED 40.3% from 3 on 8.3 3PA/G OVER THE LAST SIX SEASONS
Buddy Hield is one of the league’s best sharpshooters. The OKC Thunder could use a boost from beyond the arc and have the trade chips to get a disgruntled Buddy Hield-level player without thinking twice.
Hield played his college ball just down the road in Norman, Oklahoma, where he went on a legendary Sooners run, including historic games and NCAA Tournament distances. “Buddy Buckets” is beloved by many in Oklahoma, so there is a strong contingent of people who would love to see him added to the fold.
For the OKC Thunder, it would come down to what the Indiana Pacers wanted in return for Buddy Hield. Hield and Davis Bertans match up salary-wise, but would an abundance of future second-round picks be enough or up to a first rounder, for the Pacers to move on from Hield?
The Thunder should be comfortable making a move centered around future seconds and salary matching, even if just for a one-year boost to the team before Hield reaches free agency this upcoming summer.
The worry from the OKC Thunder is that Buddy Hield wants a significant role, and the Thunder have a solidified starting five. Hield came off the bench for the Pacers in his last five games of the season to improve their player development plan as a tanking roster, but would he be willing to do that nightly for a young Thunder squad?
Ultimately, I do not think the Thunder will get in the mix on Buddy Hield, and I am not sure Davis Bertans and Seconds would even get them a seat at the table, but he is an interesting name to keep tabs on moving forward.
Though, in the slowest part of the offseason, I will spend way too much time today envisioning an OKC Thunder roster that includes Isaiah Joe and Buddy Hield jacking up triples in Bricktown.