The Warriors needed to replace Klay Thompson’s 17.9 points per game after they helped facilitate a sign-and-trade deal that sent him to Dallas this summer. On Thursday, they landed the best shooter left on the market, agreeing to another sign-and-trade deal with the 76ers that will send Buddy Hield to Golden State. The deal will cost the Warriors a second-round pick, By Shams Charania of The Athletic.
It’s impossible to complete Thompson’s legacy, but the truth is that he was clearly in decline. The Warriors have brought in a younger player in Hield, along with under-the-radar signings like De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson. Those three should make them a better team next season. Here’s why they’re a perfect fit for Golden State.
Can Buddy Hield replace Klay Thompson?
Hield looked like a quality starter during his time in Indiana, averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 40.2 percent from 3-point range over two and a half seasons. He couldn’t find that same rhythm in Philadelphia, where his regular-season scoring dropped to 12.2 per game. His role was substantially reduced in the playoffs, but he scored 20 points and kept the 76ers competitive in their first-round elimination game against the Knicks.
One thing that will never change about Hield’s game is that he will find a way to shoot a ton of threes. His 12.6 attempts per 100 possessions ranked 12th in the league last seasonslightly below Thompson’s 14.7 (Curry led the league at 17.5). Hield has been in the top 15 in each of the past five years. He’s a career 40 percent long-range shooter, so those are excellent shots for a team.
Shooting 3-pointers isn’t just about shooting and sinking them. What made Thompson such a dangerous player for the Warriors was his shooting motion. He continued to be a great 3-point jump shooter last season. succeeding in 41.4 percent of his attempts. Hield was nowhere near that mark, reaching only 30.2 percent last seasonBut he did. reached 43.8 percent in 2022-23.
The moves Hield has made throughout his career should translate directly to Golden State, as NBA analyst Joe Viray noted.
Sixers and Warriors | “Finland”
The Dubs’ potential acquisition of Buddy Hield allows him to be a plug-and-play replacement for Klay Thompson in sets tailor-made for Klay. image.twitter.com/Di1fhlcvbI
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) July 3, 2024
Thompson has also been a willing cutter, occasionally getting to the rim after Golden State’s split-cut action. Hield doesn’t cut as much. He finishes them at a nice clip, though. ranking 63rd among players.
Both players are not considered good defenders. Thompson was once a top-tier defensive talent. Now, he struggles to stay ahead of quicker guards. Hield has seen his role fluctuate throughout his career due to weak defense.
De’Anthony Melton could be the real replacement for Klay Thompson
Melton isn’t as big a name as Thompson or Hield, but he might be the best player of the three. He’s a big two-point guard with ball-hunting instincts and tough point-of-attack defense. He’s not a point-creator and is a weak finisher at the rim, but he’s become a reliable 38.3 percent three-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 open shots.
The Warriors were able to land Melton on a one-year, $12.8 million deal. He was in a position to command a much larger salary, but back injuries limited his effectiveness last season. If he can regain his form from two seasons ago, he’ll be 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 like Thompson, but he does other, more important things. He’s a great defender and a better rebounder than Thompson. He won’t get beat as much on the perimeter and his shot selection will be better.
Kyle Anderson is a perfect fit for the Warriors
The Warriors need a very specific type of player for their system. Talented players like Kelly Oubre Jr. look terrible if they can’t make high-level reads or play with Curry.
Anderson is one of the smartest players in the league and a great passer. He makes good blocks within the flow of an offense and will help Curry get quality plays. He’s also a versatile defender who will make Golden State better on that end of the floor.
Anderson isn’t going to help 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 shooting 33.8 percent from the perimeter. Still, this is an ideal place to hide those weaknesses and an average value of $9 million for a good rotation player is a steal.
It hurts to lose Thompson, but the reality is that he was no longer worth the money invested last season. The three new players the Warriors brought in to replace him should improve their performance, and Thompson will have a much better role in Dallas, where he can simply catch and throw passes from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
