NBA Rumors: Warriors in Talks for Buddy Hield in 76ers Sign-and-Trade After Klay Exit

The Golden State Warriors are in "serious talks" with the Philadelphia 76ers on a sign-and-trade deal involving shooting guard Buddy Hield, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Charania noted that both sides are in "deep discussions" and "working to finalize" the trade.

Hield could serve as a replacement for Klay Thompson, as the five-time All-Star departed from the Warriors and joined the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade on Monday.

As part of the deal, Thompson received a three-year contract worth $50 million. Golden State was also sent cash as well as a second-round pick swap (via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski).

Hield started off the 2023-24 season with the Indiana Pacers before he was moved to the Philadelphia 76ers prior to the Feb. 8 trade deadline as part of a three-team deal that also included the San Antonio Spurs.

In 84 combined appearances, the 31-year-old averaged 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. He shot 43.6 percent from the field while connecting on 38.6 percent of his 6.8 three-point attempts each night.

However, Hield didn't end the season strong with Philadelphia and only averaged 12.8 minutes per game during the 76ers' first-round loss in the 2024 playoffs.

After the season, team president Daryl Morey conceded that acquiring the sharpshooter didn't pan out.

"I think, at no fault of Buddy's, the fit was less good than I thought," he said, per USA Today's Ky Carlin. "Obviously, most of his time was without Joel, but I thought when Joel was back that his impact and his shooting, that he'd get more open shots, he didn't."

Still, Hield should expect a larger role if the move to the Warriors is completed. He's thrived in extended minutes before, averaging over three made long-range shots per game in five separate seasons throughout his career.