Warriors finalize Buddy Hield trade after Klay Thompson departure

The Warriors have found a potential replacement for Klay Thompson.

On Thursday, multiple media outlets reported that Golden State would acquire 31-year-old guard Buddy Hield in a sign-and-trade deal with the 76ers.

Hield receives a two-year, $21 million guaranteed contract that also includes a player option in the fourth year.

The Warriors will give a 2031 second-round pick to Philadelphia to complete the deal.

While playing for the Indiana Pacers and 76ers last year, Hield averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while making 42 starts.

Notably, Hield played 84 games, a number that led all NBA players in 2023-24 due to the midseason trade.

In addition to its durability, the Oklahoma product is renowned for its shooting accuracy.

Hield’s three-point shooting percentage has been at least 36.6 percent in every season of his career.

In fact, since entering the NBA in 2016, Hield’s 40.0 percent three-point conversion rate ranks 17th among players with 1,000 or more three-point shots attempted.

In terms of pure volume, Hield’s 1,924 career triples are second-most in the league over the past eight seasons, behind only his new teammate, Steph Curry.

Earlier this week, the Warriors turned the page on a significant chapter in franchise history with the departure of Thompson, who helped shape the team’s dynasty in the late 2010s.

With Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State has since acquired 30-year-old guard Kyle Anderson – on a three-year, $27 million deal – from the Minnesota Timberwolves, as well as 26-year-old guard De’Anthony Melton on a one-year, $12.8 million deal.

The Warriors appear to have completed much of their core for the 2024-25 season, particularly complementary players in Curry and Draymond Green, but the team could still be in a position to compete for a bigger move — like a trade for Lauri Markkannen from the Jazz.

Golden State, with its new face, is looking to rebound after finishing 46-36 last season and missing the playoffs for the third time in five years.