A former Indiana Pacers fan favorite has been involved in an NBA trade on Tuesday as the season draws closer.
The Indiana Pacers are gearing up for the start of the 2026-27 NBA season. With the team's first regular season game scheduled for October 21 on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans, the season is coming up quickly.
On Tuesday, a former Pacers' fan favorite was involved in a late-offseason NBA trade.
According to a report from ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade Buddy Hield to the Charlotte Hornets. Along with Hield heading to the Hornets was Ryan Nembhard and cash, while the Hawks traded Dorian Finney-Smith back to Charlotte.
"The Atlanta Hawks are trading Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith, sources tell ESPN," Charania posted on X.
Many Indiana fans remember Hield fondly. He was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Tyrese Haliburton to the Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis headlining the return for the Sacramento Kings.
Hield ended up playing with Indiana for about two total seasons. His one full season with the Pacers came during the 2022-23 campaign, where he played in 80 games and averaged 16.8 points, five rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Hield shot 42.5 percent from the three-point line that year.
Unfortunately, it came to a point where Indiana could not pay Hield what he wanted on a contract extension. That led to the Pacers trading him to the Philadelphia 76ers.
While Hield hasn't played in Indiana for years, the fans still welcome him when he plays at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. His short tenure with the Pacers was fun to watch.
Since leaving Indiana, Hield's career has started slowing down. Last season, the 33-year-old guard played in 51 total games between the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta. He posted averages of 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 16.1 minutes per game.
At the end of the day, Hield is still capable of shooting from the perimeter. He will look to become a key rotation player with the Hornets, who are hoping to make the jump to being a playoff contender.
It will be interesting to see what the new opportunity brings for Hield in Charlotte. Pacers fans will continue rooting him on, as long as he isn't playing against Indiana.
