It was undoubtedly an underwhelming and quiet trade deadline this year for the Philadelphia 76ers. It was supposed to be busier, but it seems like Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey had other plans.
Morey and the team did make one notable, positive move, however, and that was acquiring shooting guard Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers. Let’s take a look at a few positive things that Buddy brings to Philly that should make an instant impact on the team.
An elite three-point specialist
Buddy isn’t afraid to shoot three-pointers, and he makes them often, too. Something the Sixers desperately need if they want to try to stay alive in the playoff race. Buddy is shooting 38.4% from beyond the arc this season and is a solid 40.1% three-point shooter over his eight-year career so far.
He’s currently tied at 14th this season so far with 137 three-pointers made. His new teammate and first-time all-star Tyrese Maxey is at 11th with 142 three-pointers made, giving Philadelphia a nice one-two-punch combo in the Philly backcourt.
An underrated passer
Hield doesn’t get enough credit for his pass game. He doesn’t typically dish out 10 assists a game or anything like that, but he does have speed and knows how to use it. When I say he’s a solid passer, people will look at his stats and say it doesn’t look like it, but he also hasn’t played with a lot of good players around him almost his whole career.
Yes, he’s mainly a sharpshooter, but he can get guys open with his speed and uptempo style of play, especially in the fastbreak, which will fit right in with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid if he returns this season.
Durability
Hield is an Ironman. Hield has played at least 70 games in each of the last seven seasons, and four times he’s played at least 80. And he’s on pace to do it for a fifth season so far.
Over the last two seasons, he’s missed a grand total of just three games. He hasn’t missed any this season and played in all 52 with the Indiana Pacers up until being traded at the deadline to the Sixers.
So what does Buddy Hield bring to the Sixers?
Hield is a veteran who has been in the league for eight years now. He brings experience and shot-making and will open up the offense for the Sixers. There’s no doubt that Buddy Hield was a very solid pickup, as he brings a lot to the table that the Sixers need badly, especially since they got him for basically nothing. In addition, he will be a major key to keeping this team afloat to try to stay alive in the playoff race.
If the Sixers do make the playoffs, and Joel Embiid does come back this year, the Sixers could be a dangerous team hungry to go on a run. Assuming Buddy gets decent minutes from the jump, he has a chance to make a huge impact instantly on this currently struggling Sixers team without a superstar, reigning MVP, and scoring leader Joel Embiid.
