Kevin Pritchard & Co. have been ACTIVE today. Let's start with the move that set off the chain reaction.
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
Can confirm Buddy Hield is being traded to Philadephia, per source. Coming to the Pacers:
— Tony East (@TonyREast) February 8, 2024
-Marcus Morris
-Furkan Korkmaz
-2024 2nd round pick (best of TOR and three other teams)
-2029 Clippers 2nd round pick, unprotected
-2029 Trail Blazers 2nd round pick, unprotected
The long rumored trade of Buddy Hield finally happened. Rather than let him walk in free agency, the team chose to cash in on three second round picks. If we want to Buddy's feelings on the matter, all we have to do is check out this Twitter account that's totally not run by him.
It was fun watching him in Indiana (except for this season), grateful that the pacers did him justice by sending him to a contender. Pacers was good to Hield straight through. Much love to Indiana. https://t.co/cDWblaPSWm
— 242boss (@242Boss1) February 8, 2024
Personally, I was a fan of keeping him around for a playoff run but his time on the Pacers' roster was coming to an end regardless. Seems like a win for both sides.
The Front Office didn't waste time admiring their newly acquired second round picks... or Marcus Morris. They turned around and sent the 2029 Clippers pick and Mr. Morris to San Antonio in exchange for Doug McDermott. McDermott had a career year under Rick Carlisle in Dallas, which led to him signing a contract with the Pacers and playing great basketball in Indy. Now he's back with his old coach and his old team. We're all familiar with his game at this point: he's going to space the floor and provide the shooting gravity we lost with Hield's exit.
The second-round pick heading from Indiana to San Antonio is the 2029 second-round pick from the LA Clippers that the Pacers acquired earlier today from Philly, I'm told. https://t.co/LgtQVppL8j
— Tony East (@TonyREast) February 8, 2024
But wait! Former Pacers players returning to Indy, you say? It's a contagious thing, apparently. The Pacers made yet another move, bringing back Cory Joseph in exchange for cash essentially. The Pacers gave up what figures to be an extremely late second round pick this year for CoJo, a pick that will almost assuredly will never convey (unless the Hornets are a top-5 team next year), and cash, glorious cash.
Full Pacers-Warriors trade, per source:
— Tony East (@TonyREast) February 8, 2024
To Pacers: Cory Joseph, Top-55 protected Charlotte 2025 2nd round pick, $5.8 million in cash
To Warriors: Worst of the Pacers 3 second rounders they entered today with (NOP/MIL/CLE)
Joseph and Haliburton were close friends when they played together in Sacramento and he gives the Pacers a bit more insurance if they continue to have point guard injuries. We've seen a few games this year with only one healthy "one" in the lineup, so Joseph may come in handy during the final stretch of the season.
The big loser of trade deadline seems to be James Johnson, who lost his roster spot with the additions of Korkmaz, McDermott, and Joseph. We'll see if the Pacers waive any of the new additions. If not, thanks for your service JJ.
Pacers' trade deadline deals:
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 8, 2024
Out: Buddy Hield, two second-round picks
In: Doug McDermott, Cory Joseph, Furkan Korkmaz, three second-round pick
As it stands right now, it's a 15-man roster and James Johnson is on the outside after the expiration of his second 10-day contract.
The Warriors
It's been a rough season for the Warriors but they are rounding into form on their Eastern Conference road trip. They moved to 3-1 after crushing the Embiid-less Sixers by a score of 127-104 last night.
It was a throw-back night for the GSW, getting a 21 point, 10 rebound night from Andrew Wiggins and an 18 point night (4/5 from deep) from Klay Thompson. Overall, the Warriors have been much better since the return of Draymond Green from his suspension. They've averaged 125.3 points per game, a significant leap from their 117.4 average while he was out.
Injuries
Steph Curry is not listed on the Warriors' injury report for tonight in Indy after playing last night.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) February 8, 2024
Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green are both probable. https://t.co/hikcLVqQ1Q
How to Watch
Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET.
TV: Bally Sports Indiana, NBA League Pass
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan
See ya in the comments!
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