Indiana Pacers Season Review: Grading Buddy Hield in 2021-22

The Indiana Pacers acquired Buddy Hield in a blockbuster deal at the NBA trade deadline a few months ago. While sending Domantas Sabonis away hurts the team in the short term, it is clear that Indiana has shifted its focus to the next core of great Pacers basketball.

Hield played in 26 games for the Pacers this season and started in each game he played. He also averaged 35 minutes a game in that time.

Buddy Hield’s (Pacers) season stats: 18.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 5.1 RPG, while shooting 36.2% from three and 44.7% from the field.

What went right for Hield throughout this down season with the Indiana Pacers?

A change of scenery.

Hield was somewhat vocal about disliking the role he had in Sacramento and whatever other problems that the organization had for him.

Hield went from scoring 14.4 points per game to 18.2 and from 1.9 assists to 4.8. That is a substantial increase in production that took place after being traded to a new team. On top of that, his field goal percentage went from 38.2 in Sacramento to 44.7 in Indiana.

Hield before joining the Pacers: 14.4 points, 1.9 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 36.6% from deep, and 38.2% from the field on 12.6 attempts. He played 28.6 minutes.

Hield since joining the Pacers: 18.2 points, 4.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds 36% from deep, and 44.7% from the field on 15.6 attempts. He played 35.6 minutes.

As you can see, he is statistically better at everything since being traded and this is what he needed. The chance to play a freestyle and have the ability to drive and play make has opened up his game that has allowed his output to increase to this degree.

What went wrong for Hield this season?

Being a Sacramento King.

Before being traded, Hield was averaging the third-lowest points per game in his eight-year NBA career at 14.4. After the trade, that number became his third-highest when the number bumped up to 18.2 points per game in the increased minutes he saw.

In Late Dec. while still on the Kings, Hield went 5/22 from the field taking 18 three-point attempts against the Clippers. Some of those three-point shots didn’t make sense either like Hield was just shooting to shoot.

In this situation being down just ten points, running a set here to get an easier two or a less forced three-point attempt. This is what Buddy did in Sacramento, he was the three-point guy.

Rick Carlisle loves a floor spacer like Buddy Hield, but what was more interesting to see was Hield showing the drive and finish game in addition to a more comfortable three-point shot.

In the top five games where Hield notched his most field goals made, four of them came in a Pacers jersey this season. On top of that, in his top ten highest assists totals in games this season, nine of them were in a Pacers jersey.

There is a trend in the level of output Hield has since being traded, it seems he has an expanded role and the freedom to play.

He has been exactly what Indiana was looking for after a lackluster season from Justin Holiday, Hield is a shooter that has proven he has the playmaking abilities. He also has the mindset of winning basketball, he wants to get to the playoffs.

"“I haven’t been to the playoffs, this summer will probably be the hardest I’ve ever worked…I have to make the playoffs, man. I going to work my ass off every day to get to that goal next year”."

The Indiana Pacers have the draft capital to add another key contributor to the roster this offseason, hopefully, one who can help Hield and company bounce back big in Indiana.

Grade: B+