Golden State traded Klay Thompson, who averaged 17.9 points per game and shot 38.7% from three-point range, especially his dangerous catch-and-shoot three-point shot, to Dallas.
Enter Buddy Hield, who shot 38.6 percent from three-point range last season (averaging 12.1 points per game) and is known for being particularly dangerous off the catch-and-shoot. The Warriors and 76ers have agreed to a sign-and-trade for Hield, which has been anticipated over the past 48 hours and was officially announced by Shams Charania of The Atheltic.
Hield signed a three-year deal with $18 million guaranteed in the first two years and $3 million guaranteed in the third year, plus a player option and non-guaranteed option (basically both a player and team option) for the fourth year. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports..
This salary is a great deal for what Hield brings to the table, and with the cap set to rise rapidly over the next few years, this will feel like a bargain.
Hield is currently playing for the Bahamas in Olympic qualifying, scoring 24 points in their opening win over Poland. Trail Blazers guard Deandre Ayton and 76ers guard Eric Gordon are also playing for the island nation.
Golden State added three new players this offseason in Hield, De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson. All three are excellent role players who fit the team's system and can provide shooting, on-ball defense and shot creation off the bench. Steve Kerr should now have more versatility and depth to work with and strengthen his team. But the biggest problem remains: finding a high-caliber secondary shot creator to sit alongside Stephen Curry and ease his load.
