This Cavs-Kings Trade Is Centered Around Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network
Buddy Hield, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F Maurice Harkless
Sacramento Kings Receive: G Ricky Rubio, F Dylan Windler, G/F Isaac Okoro, CLE 2024 1st Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)

With Ricky Rubio being out for the year, his $17.8M contract this season is basically “dead money” that the team has to pay. The veteran guard has been a great leader for this young Cleveland team, but if they can move his contract, the Cavaliers could immediately free up enough cap space to add another high-value player. 

According to Shams Charania, the Cavaliers are trying to upgrade their backcourt talent by leveraging Rubio in trade talks right now on his expiring contract, but adding a shooting threat like Buddy Hield could really open things up offensively for Cleveland. 

Kevin Love and Cedi Osman have been two surprises off-the-bench for the Cavaliers this season in terms of three-point shooting, as they are shooting 40.3% and 36.3% respectively, but the only other player on this roster that is shooting over 37% from deep (min. 100 attempts) is Darius Garland at 36.6% on the season. 

Coming off-the-bench in 41 of the 47 games he has played in this season for the Sacramento Kings, Buddy Hield has not only made the second-most threes in the league, but he is shooting 38.5% from deep and is averaging 3.6 made threes per game, the third-most in the NBA. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Latest NBA Trade Rumors Surrounding Cavaliers Targets

By adding a prolific shooter like Buddy Hield, the Cavaliers would really be able to space the floor better, allowing for more one-on-one post-up opportunities for Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. 

Not to mention, Darius Garland, who is having an All-Star-like season at the point guard spot, would have a lot more open space to not only drive down the lane but find Hield for open three-point opportunities given that he is averaging 8.0 assists per game this year. 

The Kings are definitely on the cusp of being a playoff team via the play-in tournament, but they need to try and get out of some long-term deals they are tied down to, as well as continue building for the future through De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. 

Ricky Rubio’s contract would be nothing more than a “salary dump” move by trading Hield, but Dylan Windler and Isaac Okoro could be two key pieces for the Kings to begin building with as part of their young core. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Latest NBA Trade Rumors Surrounding Cavaliers Targets

Sacramento really has no talent besides Hield on the wing and both Okoro and Windler could provide this team with some more depth. Plus, the Kings would be getting a future first-round pick from Cleveland as a “thank you” for taking on Ricky Rubio’s contract. 

There is value to be had in this deal on both sides of the equation and with Buddy Hield being “available” right now, the Sacramento Kings could take this opportunity to move him to Cleveland. 

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