Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard is noncommittal about offering wing Buddy Hield an extension, according to Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.
Hield is entering the final year of his four-year, $94MM contract. The cap hit on his contract for 2023/24 is approximately $19.3MM. The Pacers will have to decide whether to pursue an extension, trade him or allow his free agency to play out next summer.
“He’s under contract for another year, so we don’t have to early extend,” Pritchard said. “We could. … I think we’ve got to define his role next year. If we can get a role where he’s comfortable and we’re comfortable, then I’m not opposed to it. I’m not saying we’re going to do it for sure, but I’m not opposed to it.”
Hield had a solid season, averaging 16.8 points per game while making 42.5% of his 3-pointers and 51.8% of his 2-pointers. He’s also a positive locker room influence and is close with franchise player Tyrese Haliburton, which could increase the possibility of an extension.
“I love Buddy,” Pritchard said. “There’s some things he does that are not on the court. He keeps practice light.”
Pritchard also touched a couple of other major topics regarding offseason plans:
- Indiana will hold five draft picks in June, including three first-rounders. The Pacers will also have approximately $25MM in cap space. Pritchard said he’ll be open to wheeling and dealing to improve the roster. “I think there’s some opportunities for us to look at our draft picks and cap space and maybe put a bunch together and make big packages and go after some players,” he said. “I can’t say for sure that’s gonna get done. But I want to be really creative with how we go after the right players.”
- Regarding the team’s three free agents — forwards Oshae Brissett and James Johnson, and guard George Hill — Pritchard’s interest in re-signing them hinges on what happens during the draft and the early days of free agency. “Those are guys we’ll be looking at, but with all these draft picks and cap space, they’re not July 1 deals, they’re July 10,” Pritchard said. “I’m not trying to cop out on the question. I just don’t think we get to that decision tree until later on. I don’t want to hurt or help them or give them false hope or tell them no.”
I’d just keep Buddy at that price for now. No need to trade him and unless he wants to resign and take a bit of a discount, no need to rush into negotiations either.
He’s close with Tyrese, he’s one of the best shooters in the league and he’s a good locker room presence. Just let it ride out.
If he comes to you saying he wants to stay and wants to talk numbers then cool. I’d be thinking something on the team friendlier side of things maybe 3 years 45mil (15mil per). Could stretch out to 4 years 60mil but the dudes 30 now, and your a rebuilding team. He’s currently a starter but as he gets older he will likely drop into a sixth man role and eventually a bench shooter role.
But again no rush to get it done. Don’t want to cause any issues or drag into the season or whatever. Just sit back and let him come to you. If it takes going to next free agency then so be it. Maybe he’s asking for 20mil at 31 and your looking at cheaper, younger options
Honestly depends what type of leap they want to take next season. If it’s a big leap, move Buddy in a package for a better player. If it’s slower progress, move him for some vet contracts and a late 1st or just keep him. I would not extend him beyond what he is making now, esp if his role is likely to diminish a la Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Kyle Korver, JJ specialist role. 15-17/yr over 3 years would be plenty fair, and possibly too much if he is a 6th man.