The Philadelphia 76ers are acquiring Indiana Pacers star guard Buddy Hield in exchange for guard Furkan Korkmaz, forward Marcus Morris and three second round picks, sources informed Adrian Wojnaroski, according to ESPN
The first big deal on trade deadline day sees Philly acquiring a solid bench scorer who may very well join the starting lineup while 76ers shooting guard De’Anthony Melton continues to work his way back from a lumbar spine injury, ESPN reported.
The Indiana Pacers are trading Buddy Hield to the 76ers for Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2024
Hield’s usage and scoring numbers were slightly down in Indiana this year so the apparent change of scenery might be a welcome shake up for the 31-year-old.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 11: Buddy Hield #24 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates his three point shot in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 11, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 119-113. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Korkmaz will also surely welcome the reported move as the 26-year-old Turkish guard had requested to be traded multiple times after he fell out of favor with the coaching staff and saw his minutes drop off precipitously.
Korkmaz finally got his trade request fulfilled 😭
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) February 8, 2024
“I think I’ve been a really good professional here,” he recently told USA Today’s Sixers Wire. (RELATED: Kyrie Irving Blames New York City Mayor Eric Adams For Brooklyn Exit)
All three players reportedly involved in the deal are on expiring contracts and will become free agents following the 2024 season.
Both teams are solidly in playoff contention with Philly sitting at fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and Indiana right behind them at sixth, according to ESPN.
It’s a slightly puzzling move for Indiana, who just gave up three first round picks to acquire star forward Pascal Siakam, according to Wojnarowski, but the second rounders they acquired should help replenish their depleted draft capital.
For Philly, they need to tread water until their superstar center Joel Embiid comes back from his knee injury — if he comes back at all.