Buddy Hield’s tenure with the Golden State Warriors has turned into a major disappointment this season, with no sugarcoating possible.
The veteran guard, previously with the Philadelphia 76ers, was expected to earn the “Splash Brother” moniker in the Bay Area, but instead, he’s mired in a steep decline from beyond the arc.
Hield is currently averaging just 8.0 points per game, and while he’s shown some recent scoring improvement, his overall three-point shooting has plummeted to a dismal 29.9% for the season. This poor efficiency has prompted head coach Steve Kerr to significantly reduce his playing time.
With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 5, the Warriors might consider moving Hield. According to Blue Man Hoop’s G.C. Bellchamber, a potential deal could reunite Golden State with a familiar 6-foot-6 forward in exchange for Hield.
“While many of their role players have been rather inconsistent, Hield has been among the least reliable,” Bellchamber noted last Friday. “Although he has found his footing from a scoring perspective recently, he still is shooting 29.9% from 3-point range on the season, and Golden State has a whopping -8.5 net rating in his minutes on the court.
“(Georges) Niang, although he has yet to play this season as he recovers from a fractured foot, is nearing his return and could represent a more dependable presence as well as a better positional fit for the Warriors.” Bellchamber proposed a mock trade swapping Hield for Niang, including a second-round pick heading to the Utah Jazz.
Last season, across 79 games split between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks, Niang averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting an impressive 40.6% from three-point range.
Niang originally signed with the Warriors in 2017 but never suited up for the franchise, as they waived him before the season opener. Now, at 32 and far more seasoned, the Iowa State alum could get a second shot with the seven-time NBA champions.
Though not known for his quickness off the dribble, Niang has carved out a solid NBA career through his reliable spot-up shooting. Maintaining a 40% or better three-point percentage for seven consecutive seasons is no small feat, and he’s on track to continue that streak.
In a Warriors system built around Stephen Curry’s elite shooting and perimeter-oriented play, bringing in a proven marksman like Niang could be a savvy move worth pursuing.