Buddy Hield has long been defined by two elite traits: his shooting and his availability.
A career 39.5% shooter from deep, Buddy Hield ranks in the top 15 for most three-pointers made in NBA history.
He is also one of the league’s true ‘iron men‘, playing 82 games last season and at least 80 games in three of the seasons prior.
On paper, this combination of durability and elite spacing made him the perfect fit for the Golden State Warriors.
Last season, the partnership showed promise, with Hield averaging 11.1 points and shooting 37% from beyond the arc.
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Steve Kerr explains his decision to stop Buddy Hield‘s game streak
However, things haven’t worked out as planned in the 2025-26 campaign. Hield’s production has dipped to just 7.9 points per game on a struggling 32% shooting from deep.
The situation culminated in the Warriors’ recent victory over the Phoenix Suns, where Hield fell out of the rotation entirely, ending his impressive streak of 199 consecutive games played.
Head coach Steve Kerr admitted the decision was difficult but necessary.
“I replaced him in the rotation with Will [Richard]. I told him beforehand, I feel terrible. He has a streak of 199 games in a row and it’s one of the longest streaks in the league,” Kerr explained.
“One of the things that I love about Buddy is he’s there for you every single night. He’s the greatest teammate ever, and it felt terrible not to play him.”
“But I sat Will the last five or six games and we needed to get him back out there, and you could see why. Buddy’s time will come back around, it always happens. He’s got the right attitude and things will work out.”
This situation could indicate Golden State Warriors might want to trade Buddy Hield
Kerr’s gamble paid off immediately. Rookie Will Richard stepped up in Hield’s absence, scoring 20 points and going a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range.
That breakout performance, combined with the recent addition of veteran sharpshooter Seth Curry, puts Hield’s future in Golden State in jeopardy.
Should the Golden State Warriors trade Jonathan Kuminga for Myles Turner?
This trade would solve two big problems for the Golden State Warriors!
- Golden State Warriors receive: Myles Turner
- Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, 2028 First-Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)
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With the 33-year-old guard now fighting for minutes, a trade seems increasingly possible despite Kerr sounding like he still believes in him.
Hield’s $9 million expiring salary could be the perfect financial asset for the Warriors to package in a deal for a roster upgrade.
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