The Indiana Pacers were one of the most active teams on the trade deadline, completing no less than three trades. The franchise made significant moves by acquiring Doug McDermott from the Spurs and Cory Joseph from the Warriors. However, one of the most meaningful deals of the day saw the Pacers part ways with Buddy Hield for Marcus Morris Jr., Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Buddy Hield became an integral part of the Pacers in his three seasons for the team. But the offer from the Sixers was too enticing to pass up. Hield averaged 12 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 52 games for the Pacers this season. His trade has had a huge impact on the team dynamics, and Tyrese Haliburton recently posted a tribute to Hield through his X handle. He wrote, “Chavano! Weird putting on an NBA jersey without you! Thankful you’ve been like a big brother to me these past 4 years. Going to miss having you around, but more than all imma miss you getting mad when I look you off to hit the big for a dunk fr.”

While Budy Hield played a major role for the Pacers this season, his trade to Philly is more financially motivated for Indiana than anything else. Given Haliburton’s upcoming $260 million contract extension and the need for a new deal for Siakam, it appears that the Pacers didn’t see Hield fitting into their long-term plans. Indiana’s decision to trade Buddy Hield becomes clearer when considering his expiring contract, which posed a risk of losing him for nothing in the offseason. However, the Pacers will undoubtedly feel the absence of his elite three-point shooting, especially during the playoffs.

Are the Pacers a legitimate threat in the playoffs?

The Pacers have been one of the standout teams of the 2023-24 season. They have blown away teams with their frantic offense. They currently have the second best offense in the league, with an offensive rating of 121.2. However, their defense is a completely different story. The Pacers rank among the NBA’s worst defensive teams, recording the fifth-lowest defensive rating at 119.8.

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If the Pacers harbor ambitions of competing for the NBA title, then they must improve their defensive performances. Despite having promising players like Haliburton and Siakam, the Pacers still lack the depth and talent to challenge top teams, such as the Celtics, Knicks, and Bucks. What are your thoughts? Can the Pacers outperform teams like the Celtics and the Knicks in the postseason? Let us know in the comments below!

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