After being eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs by Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers guards Buddy Hield and Cam Payne fielded questions about their impending free agency.
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Buddy Hield
Hield was acquired in a three-team deal ahead of the trade deadline. Ranking among the best 3-point specialists in NBA history, the former sixth overall pick was on the final year of a four-year, $94 million contract he signed with the Sacramento Kings in 2020.
Playing in a career-high 84 games this season, the 31-year-old averaged 12.1 points per game on 38.6 percent shooting from 3.
Buddy Hield said he’d like to stay in Philly. Feels team showed it wants him w/midseason deal, that he came “late to the party” as the Sixers tried to put everything together.
Regardless, Hield said he’ll keep working hard on his game, trusts that things will work out for him.
— Noah Levick (@NoahLevick) May 3, 2024
Frankly, it makes sense that Hield wants to remain in Philadelphia. With his age and experience, he’s at the point in his career where he’s playing for more than individual accolades. The Sixers may not be the team to beat but they’re a perennial playoff contender with Joel Embiid.
However, it’s somewhat curious that he feels the team has shown they want him.
Despite shooting 46.2 percent from 3 in the First Round, he played just 12.8 minutes per game. Had the Sixers made it a point to get him the ball before Game 6, life may have been easier. Embiid was not only injured but more willing to pass out of double-teams than ever.
To that point, in Game 6, Hield scored 20 points on 6-9 shooting from 3. It was the only game the entire series in which he took more than two 3-point attempts.
In any case, Hield has been singing Philadelphia’s praises since his arrival. Miffed by the Indiana Pacers’ refusal to offer him a contract extension, he requested a trade. Upon landing with the Sixers, he believed he would be the perfect outlet for Embiid. The two only played together for five games in the regular season but went 5-0.
With that said, the Sixers could bring Hield back. However, him landing with a team like the Orlando Magic is a bit more realistic. For one, his value to Philadelphia in question. Furthermore, the Magic have demonstrated a desire to land a top-tier 3-point threat.
Cam Payne
Traded to Philadelphia for Patrick Beverley, Payne averaged 9.3 points and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 38.2 percent from 3 while playing for the Sixers. The former 14th overall pick wasn’t quite as effective in the playoffs, averaging 5.6 points and 1.4 steals per game on 44.4 percent shooting from 3. However, his timely scoring and impassioned play are what’s allowed him to go from an NBA laughingstock to fan favorite.
Like Hield, Payne was asked about whether he’d like to return to Philadelphia in free agency.
“Absolutely,” he says of his desire to re-sign with the Sixers (h/t Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire).
“I love Philly,” Payne continues. “I think Philly loves me… Everybody rocking with me here. I guess I kinda set a good tone. Made a good impression. Hopefully, I’ll be back. I kinda like this locker room.”
Signing with the Milwaukee Bucks for the veteran’s minimum, Payne’s productivity and affordability makes his return to the Sixers seem sensible. However, because he played for such a low salary in 2023-24, he may look for a larger deal this offseason. With a dearth of proven and effective backup point guards, he may find a team willing to offer him the taxpayer’s mid-level exception ($5.3 million).
