The Golden State Warriors have completed a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers that lands them Buddy Hield, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The Warriors will send the Sixers a 2031 second-round pick for their help in bringing Hield to the Bay Area.
Earlier this week, the Warriors were reportedly finalizing the deal for Hield, who is currently with the Bahamas national team for the Paris Olympic Qualifiers. One of the league’s premier 3-point threats, Hield is one of three active players with over 1,900 career 3-pointers while shooting at least 40 percent from 3.
The Golden State Warriors have agreed to a deal acquiring Buddy Hield via sign-and-trade from the 76ers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. New teammates Hield and Stephen Curry are leaders for most 3-pointers made over the last 5 NBA seasons – and now will be teammates. pic.twitter.com/a12kp9sYuV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2024
The other two? Warriors face of the franchise Stephen Curry and former Splash Brother, Klay Thompson. Thompson, who spent the first 13 years of his career in Golden State, agreed to a contract with the Dallas Mavericks this week.
Warriors Complete Trade For Buddy Hield
Hield arrives in Golden State just as their dynasty looks like it’s on the verge of collapse.
While Curry is still playing at an All-Star level, the fallout between Thompson and the Warriors front office is more than a cosmetic issue. Golden State has been reeling since the departure of former general manager Bob Myers, a prized communicator. His mediation could’ve been in Thompson’s contract negations for sure. However, he would’ve been a useful asset over the past two seasons, as Thompson and Draymond Green’s emotional outbursts became more of a storyline than their play.
Hield isn’t going to make Green any less volatile. He may not even start despite the fact that he’s as close to the Warriors will get to replicating Thompson. Nonetheless, because of his fit in Golden State’s offense, they can still breathe a bit easier with him in town.
Is Another Trade Near?
The Warriors still need to figure out the fate of Andrew Wiggins.
The former No. 1 pick is coming off the worst season in his career, averaging career-lows of 13.2 points and 0.6 steals per game. He also shot just 35.8 percent from 3, his lowest mark since 2019-20. However, the same reasons that Golden State would want to trade Wiggins are the obstacles standing in their path.
At this point, the Warriors are likely looking for a player with a bit more consistency. That may make their desire to trade for Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen a bit strange given his career arc. Nonetheless, of the two, Markkanen projects to be a better 3-point threat than Wiggins for the long run. With their unwillingness to trade Jonathan Kuminga, finding a player whose skillset complements his ground-and-pound style is imperative.
