Since entering the NBA as the sixth-overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma, Hield was quickly recognized as one of the league’s most prolific high-volume three-point shooters.
Over the course of several seasons, Hield was frequently linked to the 76ers as a potential trade candidate. The sharpshooter’s first move in the NBA came in the middle of his rookie season. After 57 games with the New Orleans Pelicans, Hield was moved to the Sacramento Kings.
He would spend four full seasons with the Kings. In his sixth season, Hield was moved to the Indiana Pacers. The run with the Pacers spanned nearly three seasons. Heading into the 2023-2024 NBA season, Hield was viewed as a potential trade candidate as the Pacers failed to lock him in with an extension.
After 52 games with the Pacers last year, Hield found himself traded to the Sixers. When Daryl Morey and the front office struck the deal with Indiana, the Sixers were under the impression that they landed the best player on the trade market.
Unfortunately, Hield’s run with the Sixers down the stretch of the 2023-2024 season didn’t go as planned. In 32 games, Hield averaged 12 points on 39 percent shooting. The Sixers gave him an opportunity to compete in the postseason for the first time in his career.
In a series where the Sixers faced the Knicks for six games, Hield was a healthy scratch in two of those games. While he was nearly a Game 6 hero, Hield’s overall performance in his postseason debut was underwhelming. He averaged under six points, and spent roughly 12 minutes on the court per game.
Heading into free agency, Hield made it known that he would like to continue building with the 76ers. While the Sixers understood his short stint didn’t go as planned, a reunion with the veteran sharpshooter wasn’t ruled out.
After numerous reports linking him to the Golden State Warriors, a deal has officially been finalized. Hield is heading back to the Western Conference on a two-year, $21 million deal. In return for the sharpshooting guard, the Warriors are sending the Sixers a 2031 second-round pick.
ESPN Sources: Free agent Buddy Hield is joining Golden State on a sign-and-trade deal guaranteed for two years and $21 million. Hield gets $18M in first two years, a $3M partial guarantee in 3rd year and player option on non-guaranteed 4th year. Warriors send Sixers 2031 second…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 4, 2024
