Buddy Hield flees Philadelphia 76ers through sign-and-trade with Golden State Warriors

After nearly two days of this deal first being announced, the Golden State Warriors have acquired Buddy Hield on a two-year/$21 million contract in a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a 2031 second round pick from the Dallas Mavericks according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Charania further reported that this deal will be roped into a five-team deal originated from Klay Thompson sign-and-trade that sent back the Warriors two draft picks (one ended up being traded to the 76ers) and Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets.

Buddy Hield makes 76ers richer with draft picks

The second round pick that the 76ers got in return comes as no surprise considering the fact that a team gets hard capped at the first tax apron if they obtain a player via sign-and-trade. Philadelphia is actively trying to avoid the first apron while filling out their roster and there weren’t many realistic players Golden State could’ve traded that made sense for the 76ers anyways.

Sixers draft picks after Buddy Hield trade

– 2026 1RP
– 2026 1RP(via OKC, HOU, LAC)
– 2027 2RP
– 2027 2RP(via MIL)
– 2028 1RP(via LAC)
– 2028 1RP
– 2028 2RP(via DET)
– 2029 1RP
– 2029 1RP(via LAC)
– 2029 2RP
– 2030 1RP
– 2030 2RP
– 2031 1RP
– 2031 2RP
– 2031 2RP(via DAL) pic.twitter.com/gdCH9EkcMR

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) July 4, 2024

Philadelphia’s President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has done a respectable job of stockpiling on draft capital throughout this past season as the 76ers received two first round picks from the Los Angeles Clippers in the James Harden trade and acquiring a few second rounders at the 2024 trade deadline. Like General Grevious, the 76ers have added more draft ammunition as a result of the Buddy Hield deal that could be used to trade for a quality player in the future.

Buddy Hields 76ers tenure in retrospect

After years of 76ers fans pushing for Buddy Hield to land in Philadelphia, it finally happened at this past season’s trade deadline where the 76ers acquired him in a multi-team deal that dispersed Furkan Korkmaz, Marcus Morris Sr, and a second round pick. On paper, the move was a grand slam as Hield is one of the best high-volume perimeter shooters in the NBA who’d fit perfectly next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Throughout his first few games with the 76ers, Buddy Hield proved everyone right, even without Embiid on the floor, as not only was he scorching from beyond the arc, but he also appeared to be peaking as a slasher and playmaker, especially out of the pick-and-roll. However, Hield went into an almost immediate slump following the all-star break and he seemed to lose all the swagger he previously displayed.

Buddy Hield had not hit a single three in the first 5 games of this series.

He just hit 5 threes in the first half of Game 6. pic.twitter.com/gNwM5jOZle

— Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) May 3, 2024

At the time, 76ers fans didn’t make a big deal out of Buddy Hield’s slump due to the fact that shooters go through ups and downs all the times and he was yet to share the court with Embiid. Sure enough, the 2023 MVP returns, but Hield still couldn’t find his groove from the perimeter and started to get very passive. Come playoffs, Hield practically found himself out of the rotation against the New York Knicks, but ended his tenure in Philadelphia on a high note with a first-half heater in Game Six of that series.

It’s a fair statement to say Buddy Hield’s time with the 76ers didn’t live up to all the hype it once had. In 32 games with Philadelphia, Hield posted per-game averages of 12.2 points and 3.0 assists, on 38.9% shooting from three (6.6 nightly attempts).

Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)