Report: Buddy Hield Chose Warriors Over Lakers, Pistons

According to NBA reporters Shams Charania, Mark Puleo, Anthony Slater and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, Buddy Hield chose the Golden State Warriors over the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons. 

The Warriors are acquiring Hield from the Philadelphia 76ers in a sign-and-trade deal that will be expanded to five teams to make it work.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr recruited Hield. 

“Hield is currently in Valencia, Spain, starring for the Bahamian national team, which is two wins away from a shocking Olympics bid and is coached by Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco, a helpful ally in the recruitment of Hield,” Charania, Puelo, Slater and Vorkunov reported. “It had been trending this direction for a couple days, but Hield didn’t make a final decision until after a late Wednesday night call with Steve Kerr and then a night to sleep on it.

“Hield chose the Warriors because of the opportunity to win, per league sources. His suitors included the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers.”

Hield’s new contract will be a four-year deal with a starting salary of $8.7 million and a fourth-year player option.

The veteran played for the Indiana Pacers and Sixers last season, averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 43.6% from the field, 38.6% from beyond the arc and 88.1% from the free-throw line. 

The Warriors, who missed the playoffs in 2024, lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks in free agency.

Hield has shot over 40.0% from 3 in three seasons, most recently in 2022-23 with the Pacers. In 2020-21, the Oklahoma product hit four 3s per game, the third most in the NBA.

Since losing Thompson, the Warriors have added Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson. 

“They’ve remade the middle of their rotation with a trio of reliable veterans with varying skill sets,” Slater wrote. “Melton, presuming health, gives them a defensive punch at the shooting guard spot next to Stephen Curry and someone able to handle the toughest perimeter defensive assignment while spacing the floor and not needing the ball in his hands. Anderson is a long-armed, smart wing who played 15 minutes per night in the Timberwolves’ playoff rotation. Hield provides the high-volume floor spacing that they just lost with Thompson walking out the door.”