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3 Bucks who could be in Buddy Hield trade talks, 1 who shouldn’t be

By Dalton Sell

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Grayson Allen #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half at Fiserv Forum on January 16, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Grayson Allen #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half at Fiserv Forum on January 16, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis, Indiana Pacers: Buddy Hield
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 16 (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Bobby Portis could be involved in Buddy Hield trade talks for the Bucks

In addition to Grayson Allen, the Bucks would need to add one more decently-sized salary to their offer to land Buddy Hield. Bobby Portis and his $11.7 million salary for the 2023-24 NBA season fit the billing. Although including Portis in this deal is something most Bucks fans would likely aim to avoid, it’s one of the several scenarios this front office could explore if they want Hield.

Portis’ value might be as high as it’s ever been right now. The big man is coming off a top-three finish in the Sixth Man of the Year race, proving to be one of the most productive reserves in the entire league. On top of that, his salary is pretty solid value-wise, so there are plenty of teams in the league that would love to have him.

The Pacers are particularly an interesting potential suitor for Portis, given that they were on the hunt for a power forward via trade last season, per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer. If that interest is still there, perhaps they could look to acquire Portis from Milwaukee in a Hield deal. Would Portis and Allen for Hield make sense for both teams? To some degree.

The Bucks would get a major upgrade on the wing, but they’d be short on frontcourt depth and reserve scorers, which would have to be addressed at some point. For the Pacers, they’d get the power forward they were looking for while getting a valuable pair of pieces for an expiring Hield. Portis being under contract for several more years could intrigue the Pacers.

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