Yes, the Milwaukee Bucks absolutely need to make a run at Buddy Hield

After falling short last season, the Milwaukee Bucks have largely remained quiet this off-season, making a few minor tweaks while re-signing some key cogs.

Many fans are not convinced that this roster is much of an upgrade over last year, and comments made by Giannis Antetokounmpo regarding his future with the team have made those fans antsy for a trade to continue upgrading the roster. For most of the NBA off-season, no ideal trade target has surfaced, but that all changed recently.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers have recently hit a standstill in trade talks, which has led to them exploring trade possibilities. The Bucks should, without question, give the Pacers a call if they are serious about moving Hield, as he would be one of the best targets fit-wise currently on the market.

Per Charania, the Bucks, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks, have indeed shown interest in Hield in recent months.

Yes, the Milwaukee Bucks absolutely need to make a run at Buddy Hield

Though they’ve been a defensive-oriented team over the last few years, the Bucks need a shot in the arm of offense. It’s been a major flaw of theirs over the last three years, including throughout their 2021 title run. Outside of the Big 3, Milwaukee players have struggled to put points on the board when it matters the most. Heck, even Jrue Holiday has struggled to do so a lot of the time.

The Bucks need more scoring, and Hield would provide that. For his career, Hield has averaged a solid 16.1 points per game, largely thanks to his electric outside shooting. Hield has knocked down an impressive 40.2 percent of his 3-pointers on 7.7 attempts per game for his career. Over the last five seasons, no player has made more triples than Hield, per Stat Muse.

Sweet shooting and scoring like that would make Hield a seamless fit in Milwaukee, allowing him to slide nicely into the starting two guard slot. Alongside Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Holiday, Hield would receive no shortage of open looks from the perimeter on a nightly basis. If the guard could capitalize on those looks, he could put up some captivating numbers on offense.

Over the years, the Bucks have oftentimes brought in a 3-point specialist such as Bryn Forbes or Grayson Allen to be Antetokounmpo’s kick-out threat on the perimeter. Both of those players had their best 3-point shooting seasons in Milwaukee, and Hield, who is already an incredible shooter, could perhaps do the same.

To be clear, Hield is not a perfect player. He’s not the strongest defender, which would sometimes put the Bucks in tough spots if the opposing team starts going after him. However, his offensive production may outweigh that concern, as Hield, who would be the best shooting guard this team has had in a long time, could light it up on a nightly basis alongside this core.

Financially, Hield is on the books for $18.6 million this coming season. If the Bucks want to keep their Big 4 intact, anything less than $20 million is pretty reasonable. Milwaukee would likely part with two of Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, and Pat Connaughton. Some fans would love that, while others would not. It’s certainly worth considering for a player of Hield’s caliber.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and trade rumors this off-season.