February’s mid-season trade between the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat is seemingly working out in the latter’s favor, and even more so given the silence surrounding veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield.
The Warriors locked Kristaps Porzingis into a new contract just prior to free agency, and the Hawks have moved on from Jonathan Kuminga despite his ongoing free agency availability, but Hield is a fascinating third piece to the trade whose future remains uncertain after having his $9.7 million deal for next season fully guaranteed.
Kristaps Porzingis trade looks even better for Warriors after Buddy Hield silence
Only $3 million of Hield’s contract was initially guaranteed, and there was an expectation that Atlanta would take the cap hit and waive the 33-year-old after he was completely out of Quin Snyder’s rotation following the trade.
The Hawks instead guaranteed the remaining $6.7 million, one can only presume because they wanted to use it as an expiring contract in a trade. Yet nearly two months since that decision and there’s been no reporting or rumors of a Hield trade being in the works, leaving a possibility that the former Warrior will remain in Atlanta to open the season.
This could be reflective of a very minimal market for Hield unless the Hawks throw in other assets. Combine it with their decision to decline Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option, and Golden State might be coming away winners despite initial and even ongoing pessimism over the deal.
Hield was a major contributor for the Warriors across his year and a half with the team, including going for a memorable 33 points on 9-of-11 shooting in a first-round Game 7 victory over the Houston Rockets in 2025. However, he hasn’t been trusted whatsoever in Atlanta, and it’s hard to see that changing based on their offseason moves.
Hawks might have $10 million stuck on their bench entering the season
The Hawks have strengthened their wing rotation with the additions of former Oklahoma City Thunder pair Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, both of whom will instantly jump Hield in the rotation pecking order.
They could do with some of the elite shooting Hield can still provide, but the same argument could have been made with last season’s roster where the Hawks ranked 13th in 3-point percentage during the playoffs.
Atlanta also have 17 fully contracted players as we near the end of August, leaving even more intrigue over their decision to guarantee Hield’s contract and what their plans with him will ultimately be before opening night in October.
