The Golden State Warriors are reportedly in serious negotiations with the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire shooting guard Buddy Hield through a sign-and-trade deal. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, both teams are in “deep discussions” and are “working to finalize” the trade, which could significantly impact the rosters of both franchises.
Hield’s potential move to the Warriors comes in the wake of Klay Thompson’s departure. The five-time All-Star left Golden State to join the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal on Monday. As part of that transaction, Thompson secured a three-year, $50 million contract, while the Warriors received cash considerations and a second-round pick swap, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The 2023-24 season saw Buddy Hield start with the Indiana Pacers before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers prior to the February 8 trade deadline. This move was part of a three-team deal involving the San Antonio Spurs. In his 84 combined appearances for the Pacers and 76ers, Hield averaged 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. He maintained a shooting accuracy of 43.6 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point range on an average of 6.8 attempts per game.
Despite these respectable statistics, Hield’s performance with the 76ers dwindled towards the end of the season. During Philadelphia’s first-round playoff loss in 2024, he averaged only 12.8 minutes per game. Post-season, 76ers’ President Daryl Morey acknowledged that the acquisition of Hield did not meet expectations. “I think, at no fault of Buddy’s, the fit was less good than I thought,” Morey admitted, as reported by Ky Carlin of USA Today. “Obviously, most of his time was without Joel [Embiid], but I thought when Joel was back that his impact and his shooting, that he’d get more open shots, he didn’t.”
Despite this, a move to the Warriors could rejuvenate Hield’s career. Golden State’s dynamic playing style and need for a reliable shooter in the wake of Thompson’s departure could provide Hield with the opportunity for a larger role. Known for his shooting prowess, Hield has averaged over three made three-pointers per game in five separate seasons throughout his career, demonstrating his capability to thrive in extended minutes.
If the deal goes through, Hield’s arrival could help fill the void left by Thompson and maintain the Warriors’ perimeter threat. Golden State has historically relied on strong three-point shooting as a core component of their game plan, and Hield’s skills align well with this strategy.
The ongoing negotiations highlight the Warriors’ commitment to staying competitive in the highly challenging Western Conference. For the 76ers, moving Hield could allow them to adjust their roster and strategy as they look to build around their core players and improve on their playoff performance.
As both sides work to finalize the details, the potential trade of Buddy Hield to the Golden State Warriors promises to be a significant development in the NBA offseason, with far-reaching implications for both teams involved.
