NBA rumors: Indiana Pacers asking price for Buddy Hield

On Saturday, Insider Marc Stein argued on 97.1 The Freak that the Indiana Pacers could potentially get a future-first-round pick for Buddy Hield. However, in Stein's words, "few rival executives who either heard my take or read about it later let me know afterward that they disagree." Stein circled back to the topic on Sunday and reported via his Substack that the Pacers may have some trouble getting a first-round pick for Hield after all:

"The handful of execs I spoke to post-show were unanimous in their view that Hield's looming free agency, with only this coming season left on his current contract at $19.3 million, will complicate Indiana's efforts to generate offers that feature more than multiple second-round picks attached to the contract(s) needed to match Hield's salary"

Hield has inherent value. He's a top-10 shooter in the NBA. Of the 8.5 3-pointers he attempted per game, he sunk 3.6 of them. Not only is he a highly accurate 3-point shooter, but as Stein points out, he's also "remarkably durable." In his seven NBA seasons, Hield has only missed five games. During the 2022-23 season, Hield averaged 16.8 points, five rebounds and almost three assists per game, while shooting 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. With that said, although he's yet to play in a playoff game, Hield could offer a lot to a contender.

Shams reported via The Athletic, "The Pacers did offer Hield an extension in recent weeks, but it's believed their proposal did not make the seven-year guard feel desired, league sources said."

Since then, any contract extension negotiation talk with Hield has stalled out and a trade seems imminent. Hield enters this season in the last year of his contract and is an unrestricted free agent. If he doesn't get moved before then, he'd become a top free agent next summer. Even if it's not for a future first-rounder, it'll be interesting to see how Indiana decides to use Hield.

NBA rumors: Jazz ready to trade

If you've tuned into the The Lowe Post podcast recently, you've probably heard that the Utah Jazz have some big plans for this upcoming season. ESPN's Tim MacMahon joined Zach Lowe to preview the Jazz's upcoming season.

Tim Macmahon said he anticipates the Jazz to be one of the more aggressive teams on the trade market this season. "What the Jazz roster looks like now and what the Jazz roster looks like after the trade deadline, it could be drastically different," MacMahon said. The Jazz have many interesting, wildcard players that could help contenders. Lowe listed Kelly Olynky, Omer Yurtseven, Luka Samanic, and Romeo Langford as players that could be moved given their expiring/non-guaranteed contracts.

James Hansen, Site Manager for slcdunk.com agrees with the proposed Jazz mindset, and said, "When you consider how many picks they'll be making, over the next 10 years, they have to be active to continue upgrading at each position." Last year, the Jazz lost Jarred Vanderbilt and Mike Conley at the trade deadline. Given the increasing competition in the Western Conference, Lowe believes this could be a "have your cake and eat it too" season for the Jazz.

"You're competitive, you're playing hard. You end up 32-50 and you have a top five, six pick in the draft. Or better. They could kind of do both at the same time with this group becasue i do think the West beefed up around them. There are no easy outs anymore. They're not catching anybody by surprise and they have some uncertainties specifically in the back court they gotta figure out."

The question going forward for the Jazz is their lack of star power and ball-handling. However, the Jazz may already have an answer to that problem. Tim Macmahon reported that the Jazz are extremely high on Keyonte George, a rookie out of Baylor. MacMahon said the Jazz feel he's the "most ready" and "looks the best of that rookie class." With a great deal of talent returning and some new intriguing pieces being introduced, the Jazz could surprise a lot of people this season.

NBA rumors: Dwyane Wade defends Dwight Howard

Dwyane Wade joined Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay and discussed Dwight Howard's omission from the NBA's top 75 list. When Shannon asked D-Wade if he thought Dwight Howard should've made the NBA's all-time 75 list, Wade said "1000%" and argued Howard was a dominant big "for multiple years."

"I know a lot of people have a lot of things to say about Dwight Howard. His personality, or whatever people like to take a shot at. We all out here, everybody can take a shot at whatever they want. When it comes to that man actual work, his body of work, it's undeniable. He took that team to the Finals."

Wade is reffering to the 2020 NBA Finals in which Dwight played a pivotal role. The same year Howard helped the Lakers reach and win the Finals, he averaged 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. In addition, Dwight Howard is an 8x NBA All-Star, 3x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA champion.

"When you talk about these last 25 years, how many names can you think of and Dwight Howard's name is not in there? And I know T-Mac should be in and other great players but Dwight Howard one for me was tough"

Despite rumors that Howard would sign with the Golden State Warriors, Shams reported the Warriors are "not expected to sign Dwight Howard or another veteran center ahead of training camp." So, the big fella's search for a new NBA home continues. Howard hasn't played in the league since the 2021-2022 season. If Howard's latest tweet is any indicator, the big man misses NBA action. Hopefully, he finds a suitor soon.