Buddy Hield chose to sign with the Golden State Warriors over several suitors.
Hield’s decision to choose the Warriors over the Detroit Pistons didn’t just come down to one factor. However, in inking a four-year contract in Golden State, he presumably prioritized long-term stability. When picking the Warriors over the Los Angeles Lakers, Hield believed that Golden State had a better chance of winning a championship. It’s not hard to imagine that he was also intrigued by his fit with Klay Thompson jumping ship.
As it turns out, the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets wanted to sign the sharpshooter as well.
More Details Emerge About Buddy Hield’s Free Agent Suitors
“Before (Hield) agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the (Warriors), there was some communication with the Nuggets,” reports HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “However, Denver couldn’t come close financially to being a finalist in Hield’s decision.”
The Heat “also expressed interest,” Scotto adds.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets project to be a weaker team than they were last season.
Not only is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gone, but Reggie Jackson too. Rookie big man DaRon Holmes II —the 2024 No. 22 pick —could work his way into the rotation in 2024-25. Nonetheless, he’s been the only offseason addition thus far. Furthermore, as he’ll be coming off the bench behind Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, or Nikola Jokic, it’s difficult to predict what his role will be or how many minutes he’ll play.
If Denver had managed to sign Hield, he wouldn’t have been able to replicate Caldwell-Pope’s defense. However, playing off of Jokic or the bench, the flamethrower would’ve melted Rocky Mountain snowcaps. Had Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth managed to scoop up both he and Russell Westbrook this offseason, Denver would’ve entered 2024-25 with more confidence than questions.
Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they’ve yet to work out a deal for Westbrook, still mining for a trade solution. So, not only do they not have Westbrook and Hield, they have neither.
Miami Heat
In some ways, the most impressive accomplishment is of Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is his ability to maximize his players.
He doesn’t always have a star-laden roster. Indeed, he’s made due with several players who were underdogs, turning a needle in a haystack into a diamond in the rough. With that being said Hield doesn’t seem to fit Miami’s defensive identity. Nonetheless, with this Heat coaching staff’s ability to unlock player’s potential, he may have had over-performed at that end in Miami.
With that being said, Hield’s offensive skills are needed badly in South Beach.
Miami ranked 26th in points (110.1) and 19th in 3-point conversions (12.5) per game last season. Hield is among the most prolific 3-point shooters in NBA history, ranking 22nd all-time in career 3s (1,924). However, his fit goes being the firepower he provides. Because he’s largely an off-ball scorer, he wouldn’t have impacted the on-ball reps needed by Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro, and Terry Rozier.
The Heat have made a couple of notable additions. With the 15th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they selected Indiana forward-center Kel’el Ware, who could start as a rookie. With Delon Wright heading to Milwaukee, they also signed veteran Alec Burks.
Still, Riley would’ve liked to have Buddy, as he would’ve helped the offense more than either of them.
