The Golden State Warriors are ready to welcome a new Splash Brother, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that they’re “in deep discussions” with the Philadelphia 76ers. The aim of the dialogue has been to “finalize” a sign-and-trade for 3-point specialist Buddy Hield.
Just In: The Golden State Warriors are in serious talks on a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Buddy Hield, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Warriors and 76ers have been in deep discussions, working to finalize the deal for one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters. pic.twitter.com/s3sajpWx69
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2024
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An eight-year NBA veteran, Hield ranks 10th among active players in total career 3s (1,924). He’s one of 13 active players shooting at least 40 percent from 3 for their career, a list that includes Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. He’s also an NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest champion, winning in 2020.
Warriors Finalizing Trade for Klay Thompson Replacement
Ultimately, Hield will replace Thompson, who left the Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks this week.
Thompson has the advantage on Hield in terms of stature, with Hield just 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. Thompson’s shooting release is a shade quicker. Though he’s not necessarily more likely to, Hield is more capable of scoring off-the-dribble at this stage of his career, as he’s unhindered by injury complications.
Nonetheless, the similarities in their strengths and shot profiles are overwhelming. In fact, Hield is even more of a 3-point specialist than Thompson. Over the past three seasons, 58.1 percent of Thompson’s field goal attempts have come from beyond the arc, whereas Hield has a 65.7 percent 3-point attempt rate in that span. So, when it comes to finding a player who they can put into Thompson’s offensive role, he’s as good as it gets.
An underrated aspect of Hield’s arrival is his willingness to accept a bench role.
Of course, most players will admit to wanting to start. While there will always be players who are more comfortable coming off the bench, it’s more or less understood that being in the starting five comes with a level of prestige. This, in some ways, was the source of Thompson’s chagrin. A part of him understood that his physical decline made him a defensive liability in the first unit. However, his pride was wounded by being relegated to the bench, especially in favor of a rookie.
After all, he helped make Golden State ‘the Warriors.’
Hield would undoubtedly love starting beside Curry. Nonetheless, if Warriors head coach seems it better for him to be in the second unit, he will. Hield simply wants his talents to be appreciated. No franchise appreciates the art of the 3 more than Golden State.
Will Buddy Hield Start?
If Hield does start, it’ll probably be because he’s taken more pride in playing defense the last three seasons.
He’s added muscle in order to guard small forwards, aware that he isn’t the best at shading shiftier players. If Golden State trades for Hield without giving up a player like Andrew Wiggins, he could start. This could lead to cross-matches when Wiggins guards opposing shooting guards, as he’ll likely draw a forward defender. If so, it’ll enhance Warriors’ transition offense, with teams scrambling to find their man.
With that being said, Golden State generated a sizable trade exception when they executed a sign-and-trade with the Mavs for Thompson. With it, they may be able to absorb Hield’s salary without giving up a player.
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