The Golden State Warriors are currently in talks to acquire Buddy Hield in a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, as per a report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. If this trade goes through, he will be joining a well-suited team in the Bay Area.
For the past 13 years, the Warriors have been led by the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. However, Thompson recently joined the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, leaving a gap in the team’s need for 3-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 3-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, the acquisitions of De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson add 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 Hield’s addition would certainly strengthen the team’s roster. Their focus on making incremental improvements this offseason seems to be paying off as they aim to maintain their status as title contenders.