Pacers star dismisses Buddy Hield trade rumors

While the Pacers are open to trading Hield after extension talks broke down, Indiana's young star — who signed an extension of his own — said there's no trade imminent. On a livestream, Haliburton dismissed the rumors.

"If you think a trade's happening and I'm not aware, you're a clown," Haliburton said to someone in his chat. "I would know by now, trust me. He would have called me by now crying."

Halburton proceeded to do an impression of Hield complaining about being traded to the Magic.

Hield has seemingly been on the verge of being traded his entire NBA career, and has actually been dealt twice. First, the New Orleans Pelicans sent Hield to the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins. In 2022, Sacramento sent Hield and Haliburton to Indiana for Domantas Sabonis. But Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan told reporters that they want Hield on their team next year.

"Buddy is somebody that we love having on our team," Buchanan said, noting that extension talks were "at a halt" but not necessarily done. But he stressed that Indiana has "no intention of trying to move Buddy."

If they do, there should be a healthy market for Hield, who has made the second-most three-pointers in the NBA for four straight years. But if Hield does get moved, Haliburton will be the first to know, and give Hield a shoulder to cry on.