The Lakers have been dealt yet another embarrassing blow in free agency, after Buddy Hield opted to sign with the Warriors instead of the purple and gold.
LA have been interested in signing a number of guards since free agency began, including Klay Thompson, who also brushed the Lakers to sign with the Mavericks.
So why did Hield also take the same tact?
“Hield chose the Warriors because of the opportunity to win, per league sources. His suitors included the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers,” The Athletic reports.
“After losing Thompson, the Warriors were in desperate search for a high-volume shooter who could open up the floor a bit more in some of their lineup combinations. That’s Hield’s specialty. Since 2017, the only player to make more 3-pointers than Hield is his new teammate, Steph Curry.”
Some are dubbing the new combination the Splash Buddies, in lieu of the Splash Brothers.
The Warriors made a deal with the 76ers for Hield, that guarantees him two years and $21 million.
“Hield will receive $18 million in the first two years and a $3 million partial guarantee for 2026-27 as well as a player option for a non-guaranteed fourth year,” ESPN reports.
Golden State is sending Philadelphia a 2031 second-round pick it received from Dallas in the Thompson sign-and-trade.
Before he turns his attention to winning with the Warriors though, Hield will be making a potential Olympics debut with the Bahamas’ national basketball team.
Though it is looking more and more likely that to make history, the Bahamas team will have to beat Spain in Spain in an Olympic qualifier.
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