Six teams that should monitor Buddy Hield’s trade availability
By Dalton Sell
Orlando Magic
After missing the playoffs for six straight seasons, the Orlando Magic have squeezed in these past two years, being knocked out in the first round both times. They are honorably a team refusing to rebuild, but simultaneously one with little to no shot at a title. It’s a spot no team wants to be in. If they want to take the next step forward, a Buddy Hield trade might be their best bet.
One issue, in particular, that plagued the Magic this season was their log-jammed frontcourt. With Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Jonathan Issac, Khem Birch and several others all seeing significant minutes, spacing was nearly non-existent. This was evident as they finished with the 25th best 3-point percentage in the league this season, coming in at 34.5 percent.
For a team that desperately needs to bring in a 3-point specialist to space the floor, Buddy Hield would be a dream come true. Orlando did not have a single rotational player shoot above 40 percent from behind the arc this season, and this lack of shooting plagued them all year. Although Hield himself shot just 39.4 percent from deep on the year, an increased role in Orlando would give him a genuine opportunity to shine.
If the Magic could potentially offload some of their big men in a trade for one of the most skilled shooters in the game today, that is a necessity. While landing Buddy Hield might not make the Orlando Magic a contender overnight, he certainly might help their cause to find some stability.