The Golden State Warriors have made a significant move, replacing one sharpshooter with another. Following Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors have acquired Buddy Hield in a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, as reported by various sources.
The agreement includes a guaranteed two-year contract worth $18 million, with a partial guarantee of $3 million in the third year and a player option for the fourth year, which is not guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. In exchange, the 76ers received a 2031 second-round pick from the Mavericks.
Hield, who averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season, will now team up with Stephen Curry in the Warriors’ backcourt. Known for his proficiency in three-point shooting, Hield is set to fill the void left by Thompson and create a formidable duo with Curry, potentially becoming the next iteration of the Splash Brothers.
Thompson’s departure signifies a new chapter for the Warriors, who missed out on the playoffs after a defeat in the play-in tournament. With Hield onboard, the team aims to bounce back and reclaim their dominance in the league.
Meanwhile, as Hield competes in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain with the Bahamas, coached by Warriors’ assistant Chris DeMarco, he has the opportunity to lead his national team to their first-ever Olympic appearance in Paris with just two wins away from achieving that historic milestone.