🏀 Where's Buddy Headed?

There’s nothing better than a good buddy—dependable, fun, and dangerous from outside the arc. A very special Buddy (Hield) may be available for trade, and teams are swarming at the chance to befriend him…

Today’s Lineup

Final Four 4️⃣: The WNBA Playoffs are down to 4 teams. Who’s advancing?

Bye Bye Buddy 🤝: Hield and the Pacers may part ways—which team should trade for him?

Hoops and Theatre 🎭: Nike put a basketball court WHERE?

But first, some trivia:

Your Buddy is Moving?

Reports say that contract negotiations between Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers have stalled, and the organization may look to trade the 30-year-old guard. Hield could be a ceiling-raiser for championship-aspiring team, as he is by all metrics one of the greatest 3-point shooters of all time!

Hield has drilled 1,400 triples over the past 5 years, the most over that stretch. His volume is also ridiculous—40% on 8.9 attempts per game. And don’t forget that he’s only missed 6 games TOTAL in his 7-year career! Insanity.

With these rumors persisting, we thought we’d let our minds wander on where it would be fun to see our buddy Buddy play next year. Teams would presumably extend Hield, who is on the last season of his $19 million/year contract.

Orlando Magic

Hield’s gravity on offense would open up spacious driving lanes for Franz Wagner and reigning ROY Paolo Banchero. This Magic team is young and fun, and Hield is at least one of those things—who really knows how old he is? We think Gary Harris and a 2024 first round pick via Denver could make the Pacers think…

Boston Celtics

Imagine Buddy spraying threes next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It would be hard to pull off, but if the market remains dry we think Boston could toss the Pacers Malcom Brogdon along with endless second rounders.

Milwaukee Bucks

If Giannis’ gravity enabled Bryn Forbes and Grayson Allen to become sharpshooters, Hield is gonna look like prime Klay Thompson out there. Plus, Milwaukee has struggled with health, and few hoopers are as durable as Buddy. Maybe Allen, Pat Connaughton, and Milwaukee’s 2029 first rounder?

Around the W

The WNBA playoff semifinals are SET! Here’s what you need to know about the two matchups.

Semifinal #1: Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty

In a best-of-three first-round series, the Sun were the only winning team to get pushed to three games. After Minnesota bounced back in Game 2, the Sun took care of business with huge games from DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, who both recorded a double-double.

On the other end, while the Liberty did sweep the Mystics, it was no easy task. After a solid first game, they were pushed to OT by the Mystics in Game 2. A big game from the Liberty’s Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart showed the world exactly why New York going after them in the offseason has paid off.

This, and all following series, will be best-of-five. You can catch the first game of Sun vs. Liberty this weekend on Sunday, September 24, at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Semifinal #2: Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces

The Wings pretty much had a perfect series against the Atlanta Dream, which is going to be key in their semifinal matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, who also had a solid showing in round one. In case you’ve forgotten, the Wings were one of the teams that beat the Aces during the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Aces beat the Chicago Sky in dominant fashion in round one, and now they go on to face a dangerous Dallas team. As previously mentioned, the Wings were able to take a game from them in the regular season, so Aces Coach Becky Hammon will definitely be keeping that in mind.

Can the Wings maintain their hot streak? Or will the Aces put a stop to it? You can catch the first game of Wings vs. Aces this weekend! Game 1 is set for Sunday, September 24, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Frozen Moments

• The Nike World Basketball Festival played a hoops game in the middle of NYC’s Lincoln Center… 🤩 

• Sam Dekker came outta left field and roasted Kai Jones. 😂 

• Andre Iguodala got real about Jordan Poole on JJ Redick’s podcast!

What We’re Enjoying

Did you find yourself watching Colorado play Colorado State at 1:30 am last Saturday? Us too. Check out this interview with Coach Prime.

Signing Off

TGIF! Really try to make an effort to spend some quality time with your friends and loved ones this weekend. That’s ALWAYS a good use of your time. See ya Monday!

-Conor Geelan

Trivia Answer: The answer is Kevin Love, who recorded 53 consecutive double-doubles in the 2010-11 season!

Before you go…