5 Undervalued trade targets Blazers could steal at a discount

Discount trade target No. 5: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers

Like the Pistons and Bogdanovic, the Pacers aren’t yet ready to contend for a championship and would be better off trading away their veteran assets. Hield, 30, doesn’t fit the Pacers’ timeline and has previously been involved in trade rumors.

Those rumors typically involve both Myles Turner and Hield, but, Hield is the one more likely to be available for a discount as Turner is 27 and fits the Pacers roster better in terms of both age and style of play as a rim protector.

Potential Blazers trade package for Hield

ESPN’s trade machine projection: Blazers +2 wins

This trade package is similar to the Pistons’ one for Bogdanovic. The Pacers don’t need Nurkic but receive him as a salary filler; this could also help if they decide to trade Turner.

How Hield would fit with Blazers

The Blazers are a solid shooting team already, but adding Hield could be a move to double down on that strength. Last season, Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals on 46/43/82 shooting splits.

However, at 6-4, Hield is too undersized to play a forward position, which the Blazers desperately need. Therefore, before pursuing Hield, the Blazers should consider exploring deals for players who make more sense as starters alongside their current core.

There are rumors that the Blazers are looking to make a blockbuster deal before or at the draft, and it may involve trading their No. 3 pick for a star player. If this happens, it could make sense to add Hield as part of a secondary deal to either add depth or find a starting shooting guard.

Hield’s elite shooting skills could make him a valuable player and provide Portland with a reliable floor spacer.

While Hield’s shooting isn’t necessarily a skill set the Blazers need, he could be a solid target if the price is right, especially with Simons and Sharpe being involved in trade rumors.