Buddy Hield has set sail for the Bay Area after the Golden State Warriors orchestrated a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
The 31-year-old sharpshooter secured a four-year contract with Golden State valued at around $21 million in guaranteed money. Hield, who boasted an average of 12.1 points per game last season with a stellar 38.6% three-point shooting accuracy, made his decision following a heart-to-heart with Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Wednesday, according to insights from The Athletic. After mulling it over, he finalized his choice on Thursday.
When asked about his preference for the Warriors over other contenders like the Los Angeles Lakers, Hield emphasized the opportunity to contend for a championship, sources disclosed to The Athletic. His list of suitors reportedly included the Detroit Pistons.
Golden State is looking to rebound from a challenging 46–36 season that ended abruptly in the play-in tournament. Meanwhile, the Lakers, who won 47 games, stumbled in the playoffs with an early exit against the Denver Nuggets.
Despite recent setbacks, Hield is optimistic about the Warriors’ chances in a competitive Western Conference next season. As the newest addition to Golden State’s backcourt, he aims to fill the void left by Klay Thompson, who departed for the Dallas Mavericks earlier in the offseason, especially in terms of long-range shooting.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have faced difficulties securing key players this offseason, missing out on targets such as Paul George, Thompson, and now Hield.
As of Thursday, notable free agents like DeMar DeRozan, Miles Bridges, Tyus Jones, and Malik Beasley remain available options on the market.
