Grade the trade: Pacers land playoff standout in Buddy Hield proposal

Would the Indiana Pacers accept this offer?

Caleb Martin was a key part of the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals in 2023. He averaged 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 30.2 minutes per game in the playoffs, while shooting 52.9 percent from the field and over 42 percent on his threes. The 6’5 wing is a versatile defender that makes his team better.

Buddy Hield is an outstanding shooter, but so is Duncan Robinson. It is a downgrade for Indiana, and they would be taking on a three-year contract, but the Pacers need floor spacers. They could likely squeeze a second-round pick from Miami for taking Robinson and making the math work in their Jrue Holiday swap.

Martin and Robinson both have multiple years remaining on their contracts, which gives Indiana some cost certainty moving forward.

Grade: B+

The Indiana Pacers get two pieces and a second-round pick for Buddy Hield and Aaron Nesmith. Can Robinson rebound his value in Indiana? Does Martin translate his playoff success to the regular season? The Pacers bet big on Bruce Brown and could land another playoff standout in this deal. It is not the perfect transaction, but it earns the franchise a solid B-plus.

Will the Indiana Pacers trade Buddy Hield before the deadline? It depends on how the extension talks go moving forward and will be a situation to watch until it is resolved, so stay tuned.

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