Why did Buddy Hield get fined $25,000? Looking into the NBA's reasoning behind penalizing the sharpshooter

Buddy Hield has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture. Hield was seen on video sticking up his middle finger twice during the second quarter of the Indiana Pacers' game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

Check out footage of the interaction below:

While the video above makes it unclear who the gesture was aimed at, the NBA deemed that the act warranted a fine. The league released a statement Wednesday that stated:

"Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield has been fined $25,000 for making an obscene gesture on the playing court, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. The incident occured with 11:30 remaining in the second quarter of the Pacers' 115-109 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on March 20 at Spectrum Center."

Check out the NBA's statement on Buddy Hield's fine below:

Buddy Hield has now been fined $92,000 over the course of his NBA career. His latest fine is tied for the highest amount he has been fined to date. He was previously fined $25,000 in 2019 for throwing the ball into the stands and $20,000 in 2021 for criticizing league officials.

How has Buddy Hield performed this season?

Buddy Hield is currently having one of the best seasons of his career. The Indiana Pacers guard is averaging 17.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg and 0.3 bpg. Hield is shooting 45.7% from the field, 42.5% from 3-point range and 82.3% from the free-throw line in 72 games played.

Hield is currently leading the league in made 3-pointers as he has knocked down 265 triples. The 2020 Three-Point Contest champion has already broken the record for most threes made by a Pacers player in a season. Furthermore, he has been somewhat of an iron man as he has not missed a single game this season.

While Hield was the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason and through the deadline, the Pacers decided to keep the sharpshooter on the roster. It is unclear if he will have a long-term future in Indiana, however. The organization may look to deal Hield as his contract is set to expire after the 2023-24 season.

The Pacers look headed toward a rebuild, and with Hield set to turn 31 later this year, he may not be around by the time the franchise is ready to compete. The franchise could look to acquire future draft compensation as shooters with Hield's talent are often a wanted commodity. He is set to make $19.3 million in the final year of his contract.