Buddy Hield's Golden State Warriors tenure seems to be fading fast. The veteran sharpshooter has been benched by Coach Steve Kerr, making him a prime trade candidate as the February mid-season deadline looms.
Hield's performance has been a significant concern for the Warriors this season. This led Kerr to make the tough decision to remove him from the lineup, ending his impressive streak of consecutive games played since joining the team in the 2024 offseason.
Before this change, Hield had played in 122 consecutive games, including last season's playoffs, where he shone in Game 7 of the first round. But now, his focus is likely on his future, especially with the trade deadline of February 5th fast approaching.
His playing time had already been reduced to an average of 18.5 minutes per game. This resulted in a career-low 7.9 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 41.3% from the field and 32% from beyond the three-point line. To add to the challenge for the 10-year veteran, his replacement, rookie guard Will Richard, was a standout performer in a recent Warriors victory, scoring 20 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in just 19 minutes off the bench. He shot an impressive 6-of-7 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range.
Despite Hield's reputation as a top shooter, he's only hit four or more three-pointers in a game three times this season for Golden State, and only twice since the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.
And this is the part most people miss... Not only did Richard take his spot, but other players like Pat Spencer, Gary Payton II, and Gui Santos also got more playing time than Hield. In a recent crucial victory, Hield was the only available player not used by Kerr, with Jonathan Kuminga, Al Horford, and Seth Curry sidelined.
With Hield out of the rotation, his $9.2 million salary becomes a valuable asset for a potential trade to strengthen the team. The Warriors have been linked to several players, including stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trey Murphy III, and more recently, the athletic center trio of Nic Claxton, Daniel Gafford, and Robert Williams III.
Hield's contract could be a key element in matching salaries for any of these players. With only $3 million of his contract guaranteed for next season, it's almost like an expiring contract, making him even more attractive in trade discussions.
He'll always be remembered for his incredible performance in Game 7 against the Houston Rockets. But it looks like we might be seeing the end of Hield's time with the Warriors.
What do you think? Do you believe Hield's time with the Warriors is truly over? Share your thoughts in the comments! Is it the right move for the team, or could he still contribute?
