Predicting where the NBA's top 20 free agents will play in 2024–25
By Dalton Sell
17. Buddy Hield - Houston Rockets
Shooting 35.2 percent from 3-point range as a team, tied for the 23rd-best percentage in the league during the 2023-24 NBA season, the Houston Rockets have a clear need to address this off-season. As the team aims to take another step toward reaching contending status once again, they could fill this void by targeting Buddy Hield.
The 31-year-old has made a living in this league due to his sweet outside shooting, knocking down an impressive 40 percent of his career triples on 7.6 per game. He'd instantly give the Rockets one of the best perimeter shooters in the business, spacing the floor for Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green, giving them more room to operate offensively.
After taking a major step back in terms of production this season, it'll be interesting to see how much teams value Hield in free agency. He likely will not be in the market for anything sizeable, so perhaps Houston could swoop him up on something along the lines of a prove-it deal. On a team with a clear need for shooting, Hield could play a defined role and aim to cash out next off-season.
Houston won't be alone in their potential pursuit, as everyone could use an outside threat, but they should be among the most aggressive suitors for the veteran shooting guard.