The Golden State Warriors are acquiring Buddy Hield from the Philadelphia 76ers in a sign-and-trade deal, reports Shams Charania. Hield, a prolific 3-point shooter and the 6th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft spent last season with both the Indiana Pacers and the 76ers following a midseason trade. Now, he is set to join the Warriors in the Bay Area.
Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Hield will receive $21 million in guaranteed money from the Warriors. In return, the Warriors will send the 76ers the Mavericks’ second-round pick in 2031, per Charania.
The Warriors, renowned for the “Splash Brothers” duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson over the past 13 years, faced a significant shift when Thompson signed with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent. This left a crucial gap in their 3-point shooting capabilities. Few players in NBA history have matched Thompson’s volume of 3-point shots, but Hield is a notable exception.
Buddy Hield ranks highly in the NBA for his 3-point shooting, having four seasons where he made at least 270 3-pointers—a feat achieved by only a few players, including Curry and Thompson. Hield boasts a 40% success rate from beyond the arc on 7.6 attempts per game, compared to Thompson’s slightly higher efficiency of 41.3% on the same number of attempts. While Hield may not match Thompson’s defensive prowess, his offensive skills make him a strong addition to the Warriors.
This offseason, the Warriors have focused on restructuring their roster to build a more cost-effective team. They waived Chris Paul, let Thompson depart, and added De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson through various means. Melton is expected to contribute defensively, while Anderson brings additional playmaking abilities. Hield is anticipated to replace some of Thompson’s shooting volume.
Additionally, the Warriors are reportedly pursuing Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen to bolster their roster. Given the talent losses over recent years, securing another star player may be essential for the Warriors to contend for their fifth championship since 2015.
Though only time will reveal the outcome, acquiring Hield positions the Warriors to enhance their competitive edge. Their strategic offseason moves appear promising as they aim to rebuild a championship-contending team.
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