Warriors landed ‘best-case scenario’ replacement for Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson left the Golden State Warriors at the start of the offseason, teaming up with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks. The four-time NBA champion had failed to agree terms on a contract extension with Golden State’s front office, thus marking the end of the franchise’s big three era.
As a result of Thompson’s departure, Mike Dunleavy Jr. sought out Buddy Hield, who joined the franchise from the Philadelphia 76ers. According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, replacing Thompson with a younger sharpshooter who can also provide some form of defense was smart business by Golden State.
“The Warriors replaced a 41% career three-point shooter with a 40% career three-point shooter, and Hield is three years younger, less destructively thirsty inside the arc and more capable of guarding the perimeter,”
Hollinger wrote. “(Hield isn’t exactly a DPOY candidate, but Thompson has reached a point where he mostly has to be hidden on fours.)”
Hield is a reliable perimeter threat. He can hit shots via movement or when spotting up around the perimeter. His presence will ensure teams can’t load up on Stephen Curry, while his mobility and quick first step will give the Warriors a dimension they’ve been missing since Thompson returned from two severe leg injuries.
Steve Kerr likes his team to play in a motion-based offensive system. Curry’s non-stop movement is essential to how Golden State sets up in the half-court. With Hield capable of cutting, curling or fading off screens, the Warriors’ backcourt will be diverse and devastating from three-point range.
Hield could be the ideal upgrade over the current version of Thompson and potentially bring back some form of the “Splash Brothers” era.
Golden State also has Hield under contract for the next four years, where he will earn an average of $9.4M. With such a reasonable salary, the front office could consider trading the sharpshooter if his pairing with Curry fails to work out.
Therefore, it would appear Hollinger is right. Golden State has replaced a declining sharpshooter with a younger, more mobile replacement. The Warriors are at their best when they’re letting three-point shots fly. Hield will ensure that continues to happen.