3 players the Rockets could land in a Victor Oladipo trade

Houston Rockets trade target # 3: Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield has reportedly been unhappy with the Sacramento Kings for quite awhile now, as we’ve heard whispers dating back to last season about his disagreement with many of the moves that were made, both in the front office and by Kings coach Luke Walton. Part of the problem for the Kings is that he just agreed to terms on a four-year $94 million contract extension in 2019, that could potentially pay him $106 million.

The deal has Hield under contract through 2024, which is a bonus for any team that acquires him. On the court, Hield is a marksman from long-range, as he holds a career 3-point shooting percentage of 40.8 percent and has never made lower than 37 percent of his 3-pointers.

Through six seasons, Hield holds scoring averages of 15.9 points per game on just 13 attempts. Although Hield isn’t getting any younger at 28-years-old, he figures to be a natural fit alongside a passing point guard such as John Wall.

To add color to that, Hield has performed well in catch-and-shoot 3-point opportunities, as outlined below:

• 2020-21: 36.3 percent
• 2019-20: 41.3 percent
• 2018-19: 46 percent
• 2017-18: 50.2 percent

Hield has taken a healthy amount of 3-pointers when he’s been set up for open looks, as his catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts have increased in each of the last three seasons, which is also highlighted further:

• 2020-21: 6.7 attempts
• 2019-20: 5 attempts
• 2018-19: 4.9 attempts
• 2017-18: 2.9 attempts

In an offense like the one that newly Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas runs, ball movement and offensive efficiency is key, which makes Hield even more valuable in the Space City. Hield’s age would seem to be a drawback, as he’s younger than the other players on this list, but his long-term contract and his potential fit alongside John Wall makes him an appealing option for Oladipo.

From the Kings’ standpoint, they would be off the hook for Hield, an unhappy player that they’d otherwise be committed to long-term. Sacramento would gladly wash their hands of Oladipo, as his deal ends at the end of this season, which would allow them to start over.

A deal for Hield would have to include Oladipo and Danuel House, in order to make the salaries work, which couldn’t happen until after March 5th, as Oladipo was obviously just moved in a deal. The Rockets could also expect to land a first-round draft pick for helping Sacramento absolve themselves of Hield’s contract.

What should also not go unnoticed is that the Kings’ front office is ran by Monte McNair, who was formerly an employee of the Houston Rockets, and was a colleague of current Rockets GM Rafael Stone.

Next: No. 2