3 Role player trade targets who could be needle-tippers for NBA contenders

No. 3 - Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers

It feels like Buddy Hield has been involved in trade rumors forever. However, rumors intensified this past summer when The Athletic's Shams Charania (Subscription required) reported that Hield and the Indiana Pacers started dialogue to find a trade partner. That was months ago, and it's unclear just where the two sides stand now, but Hield could make for an extremely interesting target.

The shooting guard has earned his stripes in this league as one of the best perimeter shooters in the modern era. Throughout 564 career contests, Hield has shot 40.3 percent from 3-point range on 7.7 attempts per contest, which has helped him average 16 points per game. He has knocked down the second-most 3-point makes league-wide since 2016-17, trailing only Stephen Curry, per StatMuse.

Unlike the other two candidates on this list, Hield's impact would primarily come on the offensive end, where he's electric from behind the arc. Plenty of NBA contenders would love to have a marksman of Hield's caliber. The Los Angeles Lakers, who have been rumored to have interest in Hield for years, would make for a reasonable suitor, as they're among the worst 3-point shooting teams this season.

Given that Hield has started the season with the Pacers following the trade rumors, he could very well stay put, but it's a situation to keep an eye on moving forward.

Stay tuned for more NBA analysis and trade talk.