Former Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield has found himself traded again, this time winding up with the Chicago Bulls less than a week after the Atlanta Hawks had sent the veteran sharpshooter to the Charlotte Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith.
It might not be the last move we see involving Hield in the next little while either. With the Bulls possessing a young and rebuilding team, the opportunity to potentially rejoin the Warriors could come well before free agency next year.
Warriors move closer to potential Buddy Hield reunion after Bulls trade
As first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, the Hornets have moved Hield and cash to the Bulls in exchange for former sixth overall pick Rob Dillingham. There's an expectation that Chicago will be Hield's final destination ahead of the new season, with the team potentially utilizing his 3-point shooting after ranking 19th in 3-point percentage last season.
There's already speculation though that any opportunity Hield does get with the Bulls will simply be about increasing his trade value ahead of the February mid-season deadline. NBA insider Jake Fischer has already said as much, while also alluding to a similar situation for new free agent acquisition Normal Powell in Chicago.
The difference is Powell is still capable of being a 20-point scorer in the league. Hield, meanwhile, has seen his career decline over recent years outside a vibrant first couple of weeks with the Warriors in 2024, along with a memorable Game 7 performance against the Houston Rockets in the first-round of the 2025 playoffs.
There's a chance that the Bulls figure out rather quickly that trying to build Hield's trade value simply isn't worthwhile, leaving a possibility that he's waived or bought out in the coming months as Chicago undertakes another development year.
Warriors might consider Buddy Hield again for locker room aspect
Hield's exit from Golden State in February wasn't necessarily sad from an on-court standpoint because, as previously outlined, his production and form had been waning to the point of limited minutes in the rotation.
It was disappointing though based on Hield's personality and the vibes in the locker room, highlighted by his comical relationship with six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler. Would the Warriors have interest in bringing that back? It's not out of the realms of possibility, particularly when Hield also brought immense durability to an old, injury-prone Golden State team.
Hield's now arrives at his third home since being traded by the Warriors less than eight months ago. Perhaps he can play himself into staying at the Bulls longer than expected, but this trade just appears like another step towards Golden State having an opportunity at a Hield reunion.
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