The Warriors needed to replace Klay Thompson’s 17.9 points per game after they helped facilitate a sign-and-trade sending him to Dallas this summer. They got the best shooter left in the market on Thursday, agreeing to another sign-and-trade with the 76ers that will send Buddy Hield to Golden State. The deal will cost the Warriors one second-round pick, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
It is impossible to fill Thompson’s legacy, but the truth is that he was in clear decline. The Warriors have added a younger player in Hield, along with under-the-radar great signings in De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson. Those three should make them a better team next season. Here’s why they are perfect fits for Golden State.
MORE: Free agency grades for all 30 NBA teams
Can Buddy Hield replace Klay Thompson?
Hield looked like a quality starter throughout his tenure in Indiana, averaging 15.4 points per game on 40.2 percent shooting from 3 over two and a half seasons. He couldn’t quite find that same groove in Philadelphia, where his regular season scoring dropped to 12.2 per game. His role fell substantially in the playoffs, but he did drop 20 points and keep the 76ers competitive in their elimination game against the Knicks in the first round.
One thing that will never change about Hield’s game is that he’s going to find a way to fire off a ton of 3s. His 12.6 attempts per 100 possessions ranked 12th in the league last season, slightly below Thompson’s 14.7. (Curry led the league with 17.5.) Hield has been in the top 15 in each of the past five years. He’s a 40 percent career shooter from deep, so those are great shots for a team.
There is more to shooting 3s than simply getting them up and hitting them. What made Thompson such a dangerous player for the Warriors was his shooting off movement. He was still a great pull-up 3-point shooter last season, hitting 41.4 percent of his attempts. Hield was nowhere near that mark, hitting only 30.2 percent last season. But he did hit 43.8 percent in 2022-23.
The movement sets that Hield has been used in throughout his career should translate directly to Golden State, as pointed out by NBA analyst Joe Viray.
Sixers & Warriors | “Finland”
The potential acquisition of Buddy Hield by the Dubs makes it possible for him to be a plug-and-play replacement for Klay Thompson in sets tailor-made for Klay. pic.twitter.com/Di1fhlcvbI
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) July 3, 2024
Thompson has also been a willing cutter, getting the occasional dive to the rim off Golden State’s split-cut action. Hield doesn’t cut nearly as much. He does finish them at a good rate, though, ranking in the 63rd percentile of players.
Both players are not considered good defenders. Thompson at one time was an All-Defensive talent. These days, he has trouble staying in front of speedier guards. Hield has seen his role fluctuate throughout his career because of weak defense.
MORE: Draymond Green reveals he almost left Warriors, reacts to Klay Thompson trade
De’Anthony Melton might be the real Klay Thompson replacement
Melton isn’t as big of a name as Thompson or Hield, but he might be the best player out of the three. He’s a great two-way guard with ball-hawking instincts and tough point-of-attack defense. He’s not an advantage creator and he’s a weak finisher at the rim, but he has turned into a reliable 38.3 percent 3-point shooter over the past four years of his career. He doesn’t offer nearly the shooting versatility of Thompson or Hield, but he can hit the open ones.
The Warriors were able to grab Melton on a bargain one-year, $ 12.8 million contract. He was in line for a much bigger payday, but back injuries limited his effectiveness last season. If he can get back into his form from two seasons ago, he is a great fit for Golden State. He’s a smart player who fits well into Steve Kerr’s read-and-react system.
Melton can’t shoot it like Thompson, but he does other more important things. He’s a great help defender and a better rebounder than Thompson. He won’t get blown by on the perimeter nearly as much. And his shot selection will be better.
MORE: Why Klay Thompson chose Mavericks over Lakers
Kyle Anderson is a perfect fit for the Warriors
The Warriors need a very specific type of player to play in their system. Talented players like Kelly Oubre Jr. look terrible if they can’t make high-level reads or play off Curry.
Anderson is one of the smarter players in the league and a great passer. He sets good screens within the flow of an offense, and he will help get Curry quality looks. He’s also a versatile defender who will make Golden State better on that side of the floor.
Anderson isn’t going to help out Golden State’s transition attack. He’s one of the slowest players in the league. His shot also has a comically long release, and he’s a career 33.8 percent shooter from the perimeter. Even so, this is an ideal place to hide those weaknesses, and a $ 9 million average value for a good rotation player is a bargain.
It stings to lose Thompson, but the reality is that he was no longer worth the money last season. The three new players that the Warriors brought in to replace him should make them better, and Thompson will have a much better role in Dallas where he can simply catch and shoot off passes from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
