The Golden State Warriors are currently in talks with the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire Buddy Hield in a sign-and-trade deal, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. If this trade goes through, Hield, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, will be moving to the Bay Area to join a team well-suited for his skills.
The Warriors have been led by the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, for the past 13 years. However, Thompson recently joined the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, leaving a void in the team’s need for three-point shooting. Hield, known for his shooting prowess, could potentially fill this gap.
Hield has made history by having four seasons in which he made at least 270 three-pointers, which is more than anyone besides Curry. He has a 40% success rate on 7.6 attempts per game, similar to Thompson. While Thompson is known for his defensive abilities, his performance has declined, making Hield a suitable replacement in terms of shooting.
The Warriors have been reshaping their roster this offseason by bringing in more affordable players. By adding Hield, they aim to replace some of Thompson’s scoring. In addition to Hield’s acquisition, the team has also brought De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson for defensive and playmaking support respectively. The team is also targeting Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen to bolster their chances at contending for another championship.
Whether the Warriors’ efforts will result in success remains to be seen but adding Hield would certainly strengthen their roster and give them an edge over their rivals as they aim to maintain their status as title contenders