NBA Rumors: Mavericks among teams interested in trading for Buddy Hield
The Indiana Pacers are expected to trade Buddy Hield after the two sides failed to gain traction on extension talks. Hield is one of the top three-point shooters in the NBA, responsible for 288 made triples in 80 games last season. He hit 42.5 percent of his 8.5 long-range attempts per contest. Very few players can match Hield's volume, shot variety, and efficiency beyond the arc.
It's only natural for several teams to take interest in the available Hield, who has one year and $18.6 million left on his contract. Either as a one-year rental or as a long-term investment, he has the potential to seriously change the fortunes of a contender. The Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks were listed as potential suitors by NBA insider Shams Charania.
The Mavs in particular stand out as a likely landing spot. The roster underwent a significant overhaul this summer, with Grant Williams, Dereck Lively II, and Olivier Maxence-Prosper headlining a new collection of role players. Hield would feast on open looks while defenses focus on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
That said, the Mavs face a few potential hurdles in acquiring Hield. According to Marc Stein, the Pacers are "not inclined" to trade for Tim Hardaway Jr., whose skill set and contract ($17.8 million in 2023-24) make him the easiest trade machine plug-in.
Dallas has other tradeable contracts — primarily Dwight Powell and Richaun Holmes in the frontcourt — but those players don't have the same utility to Indiana as Hardaway, whose value pales in comparison to Hield to start with.
Any Mavs trade for Hield would have to involve considerable draft capital or a quality young player, such as Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, or one of the rookies. Such demands should give Dallas pause, but Hield is a genuine game-changer when used correctly.
NBA Rumors: Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon is 'on the trade block'
The Boston Celtics tried to trade Malcolm Brogdon earlier this summer and even agreed in principle to send him to the Los Angeles Clippers in a Kristaps Porzingis trade before medical concerns nixed the deal.
Los Angeles was concerned about Brogdon's right arm injury. Afterward, Brogdon was reportedly upset with the Celtics' front office. That's understandable, of course. He's coming off a Sixth Man of the Year campaign for a conference finals team. He has earned the right to get upset.
Now, we can't count out the possibility of a Brogdon trade before the season. According to Adam Kauffman on the 'Celtics Beat' podcast, Brogdon is "absolutely on the trade block," with whispers abound about Boston trying to move the veteran point guard. We don't know the exact status of Brogdon's arm injury, but his impact on the Celtics last season was extensive. Several contenders would be lucky to employ him.
Brogdon has two years and $45 million left on his contract. In the current NBA economy, that's more than fair value for what Brogdon contributes. Derrick White is expected to assume starting point guard duties following Marcus Smart's departure, but Brogdon is essential connective tissue in the Celtics' backcourt. It's a tad surprising to see his name so forcefully involved in trade rumors. Trying to involve him in the Porzingis trade is one thing. Willfully exploring the trade market is another.
On the other hand, it's clear Boston does not view Brogdon as indispensable. Several teams should be placing phone calls to the Celtics front office.
NBA Rumors: Joel Embiid's Olympic deadline approaches
Joel Embiid faces a critical decision in the next two weeks — and no, it's not a decision about requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. The reigning MVP is eligible to participate in the 2024 Olympics for any of three countries: the United States, France, or Cameroon. Obviously, the U.S. would love to have him, but the opportunity to make history with Victor Wembanyama and the underdog French national team could appeal to Embiid's competitive sensibilities.
The 2024 Olympics happen to be set in Paris. So, expect Embiid to emerge as either the hometown hero or a sworn enemy. Team USA will arrive in Paris with considerable reinforcements after not medalling in the FIBA World Cup. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and other NBA stars are expected to join the Olympic squad.
According to Eurohoops, the French basketball federation has set an Oct. 10 deadline for Embiid to make his decision.
Team USA struggled to rebound and defend the paint during a dreadful FIBA run. Embiid would certainly fill that void with his hulking 7-foot frame in the paint. Of course, if Embiid joins a collection of current and former MVPs, fit won't really matter. Team USA will cruise to victory and we will all yawn as this exciting era of international parity is temporarily put on hold.
On the other hand, Embiid could drive home the world's increasing competitive parity with a decision to join the French national team. He would join a loaded frontcourt comprised of Wemby and former DPOY Rudy Gobert, along with veterans Evan Fournier and Nic Batum. France would emerge as a legitimate contender in a competitive field.
Embiid heading to l'équipe de France is the objectively more fun outcome, but it's hard to deny to appeal of winning gold with a loaded U.S. squad. Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero faced a similar conundrum when he chose the U.S. over Italy in the FIBA World Cup, only the U.S. squad has much higher odds of medalling in the Olympics with how the early roster is shaping up.
It would be equally, if not more fun to see Embiid team up with Pascal Siakam on the Cameroonian team, but that outcome feels far-fetched.