New Warriors sharpshooter Buddy Hield, who ranks 22nd all-time among NBA players in career three-pointers, will be the de facto replacement for the player who ranks sixth on that all-time list (Klay Thompson). Asked this week if he feels pressure to replicate the production and the outside shooting that Thompson provided for years in Golden State, Hield downplayed that idea.
“There’s no pressure,” Hield said, per Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. “Just come and do my job. What Klay has done for this organization has been tremendous. I love Klay a lot. I’ve watched him over the years. He’s special. The way he can get hot and the way he can just change the game and be the two-way player that he is, and the champion that he is. So, I don’t look at it as pressure. I think it’s fun just being in that role and seeing if I can get the same looks he got.”
Hield has never been as effective an all-around player as Thompson was in his prime years, and he certainly can’t match the former Warriors’ postseason accomplishments, having appeared in a playoff game for the first time this spring. However, the two players’ career shooting numbers are quite similar — Thompson has made 3.1 of 7.6 three-pointers per game (41.3%) in 793 contests, while Hield has knocked down 3.0 of 7.6 per game (40.0%) in 632 outings.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Dalton Knecht has been the best player on the Lakers‘ Summer League roster and already looks like a potential steal as the No. 17 pick in this year’s draft, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who says the rookie forward projects to be in the top nine of L.A.’s rotation in the regular season. Entering Thursday’s contest, Knecht has averaged 22.0 PPG with a .412 3PT% in his first two games in Vegas.
- Bones Hyland saw more playing time for the Clippers during the final month-and-a-half of the 2023/24 season and won’t have Russell Westbrook ahead of him on the depth chart in ’24/25. However, with Kris Dunn and Kevin Porter Jr. now in the mix in a Los Angeles backcourt that also features James Harden, Norman Powell, and Terance Mann, there’s still no clear path to regular playing time for Hyland, who remains on the trade block, according to Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- Although Drew Eubanks decided well ahead of his player option deadline to opt out of his deal and become a free agent, he wasn’t necessarily set on leaving the Suns, as Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic relays. “The interest was always there for me to return (to Phoenix),” said Eubanks, who ultimately agreed to a deal with Utah. “The notion of it being a ‘mutual split’ is just factually false. There were a lot of conversations about me coming back this next year from the moment the season ended and into free agency. At the end of the day, there were other opportunities and I had to make the best decision for myself and my family. Loved my year in Phoenix.”
- The Suns will hire John Little as the head coach of their new NBA G League affiliate, the Valley Suns, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Little was previously part of G League coaching staffs with Maine and Wisconsin.
I think Buddy put a perfect spin on his question. So grateful he chose to just simply respect a legend and not spin move out of it. He did the right thing there. I know it means nothing but if we are all gonna push past Klay I think we just gotta show love.
This.
Nobody is expecting Buddy to step in and be Klay from 10 years ago. What the expectation is, is that he will get the same looks Klay got and hit on 40+% on them.
Buddy is also showing the difference between him and Klay. Klay is only worried about getting himself back to the player he was. He would miss 10 threes and still shoot, costing the warriors with his narcissistic personal quest.
Will always cherish the memories from the splash brothers era, and watching Klay play, but the love was lost over the last couple years, when his true colors became apparent.
Have fun being an also ran in Dallas.
Listen, I get he respects Klay and Klay is washed but Hield stinks.
Well said Highwaymenace. Good post.
Really !!!! ok
“Dalton Knecht has been the best player on the Lakers‘ Summer League roster and already looks like a potential steal as the No. 17 pick in this year’s draft, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who says the rookie forward projects to be in the top nine of L.A.’s rotation in the regular season. Entering Thursday’s contest, Knecht has averaged 22.0 PPG with a .412 3PT% in his first two games in Vegas.”
Tried telling you. Most of you think it’s about 19 yr olds. Players play. Good thing to get that maturity.
Let’s not go overboard on the summer league. Draft picks always look good during the summer, wait until they meet an NBA defender.
Exactly. I don’t think anyone doubted that Dalton could dominate summer league or make open 3’s. He fell to 17 because there are questions about whether he can play D at this level and whether he can get his shot off.
He landed in the perfect spot to play a valuable role, but let’s wait to see how much of a steal he was.
He’s never had problems getting his shot off lol. He’s the closer. Everyone is questioned if they can guard in NBA. I know it’s hard for some of you.
I do t need writers telling me what to think. I actually say what I mean. Cause I watch him and his growth. I base it on what I see. Not questions from talking heads.
You might get it in two-three yrs.
If you want to support your own genius then share the text of your comment about Knecht not the text from the article above.
First I don’t need your approval. Ive been posting about draft picks since Book Lopez went to Nets. I always have a few guys that I believe in. That maybe gets looked over. Called talent vision.
I’m just saying what I said when he was in the tournament. Then when he was drafted. You can look it up if you want. I said he was a steal for Lakers. Imo Pistons or even Rockets should have took him. Lakers got lucky.
He is offense first player. His defense will be exposed. Have you watched any of those summer league games? The defense last night was like watching garbage time defense to pad stats. That is the reason he fell in the draft is concerns about his defense.
I guess we are both too lazy to look up your past comments but the onus of proof is on the person making the claim. Nothing about my approval but if you want me to believe in your powers of prognostication then you should post your previous relevant quotes otherwise you come off as a know-it-all braggart.
Buddy Bahama is the all time leader for 3’s for the Kings. I watched in person when Buddy was probably the best player on the roster. With that being said, Hield is not Klay Thompson. Expecting that is ludicrous.
If Dalton is a steal, then Kolek is just a full-blown theft to get in round two. I’m impressed with this young kid already, SL, or not he’s showing he belongs
True but Klay Thompson isn’t Klay Thompson anymore. Klay Thompson’s more like Buddy Hield now LOL and we’ll take it at half the price. Hopefully it works out.
Buddy can absolutely be 2024-era Klay Thompson. He will never be 2015-2019-era Klay, no one ever will. 37 points in a quarter, that’s all anyone needs to know.
> Hield is not Klay Thompson. Expecting that is ridiculous.
Boner , I think what they’re expecting is for 31 yr old Hield to replace what they had expected 35 yr old, post-surgeries Klay to give them this year: 18 mins per game off the bench, 40% from deep, and mediocre defense.
Yes and about half the price.
@Gary. Sounds like you think Mavs should have gotten Buddy and saved money to bring back DJJ and possibly get another player with the savings
Honestly? Yeah. Klay is only a 3pt shooter anymore. He’s absolutely still fantastic in that regard, but that’s all he can do. He can’t attack the rim like in his prime, he’s slow on defense, and he’s never had playmaking chops. Getting DJJ and Hield for that money should have been the Mavs’ move. Or at least Hield and Marshall, with potentially one more move. Klay isn’t an answer at SF anymore, and the Mavs are going to face that full-force with already having a weak defensive backcourt. And they don’t have a Draymond to cover their holes on that end.
@EonADS agreed, getting Klay actually makes Dallas worse. He goes cold shooting much more often these days, then you are left with Klay, Kyrie and Luka on defense, in 2025? Yikes. I love those three offensively, but even with them Dallas might not be able to outscore anyone with those 3 out there playing “defense”.
mlbnyyfan, I’m not sure about the Mavs strategy but I can see why they’d want to bring in Klay Thompson. Championship experience hard worker all the intangibles No Nonsense type of player.
I think he’s a good pickup for them even though he’s twice the price of Buddy Hield. You can bring Buddy Hield into a championship team and it will lift HIM up.
You bring Klay Thompson to a team that needs to get over the hump Maybe, and he’ll help lift the TEAM up?
Mavs certainly are there already on their own but I think Klay Thompson helps keep them there with championship experiences at least in the locker room.
Warriors did not bring in Hield to replace Thompson. They brought him in for a 3 pt shooter off the bench when Curry is resting. He was brought in for instant offense. Not sure why fans are comparing him to Thompson because the only thing he does like Thompson is his 3 pt shooting %.
The Warriors are done……. It’s so special seeing their fans. Can’t Let Go ….
Oveeeeeerrrrrr …….
Heard that before when KD left. Going to be fun watching you eat your words.
If any team is done it’s the Lakers not sure about GS. One another note KD should have gone back to OKC with all those picks to Offer instead of stealing IHART
This is 2025 ….. got nothing to do with KD and past accomplishments. It’s over ….
Nobody beats Father Time, Undefeated.
You can wish, pray, beg. It’s so special wanting to replace Klay….
Know how that sounds ?????
Klay healthy was one of best 2way SG ever. You may never replace that. So who talks like that.
As opposed to Knicks fans, who haven’t seen a chip in 50+ years? Laughable. Knicks fans don’t even know ball anymore, its truly embarrassing, we really should move “The mecca of basketball” to LA where it belongs. NYC loves hoops but they stink at it and always have.
Here, check this out:
Klay Thompson (age 34 season upcoming)
Chris Paul (age 40 season upcoming)
Lester Quinones
Dario Saric
for
De’Anthony Melton
Kyle Anderson
Lindy Waters III
Buddy Hield
@KnickerbockerAL explain how a team that won 46 games and made this trade is worse? You cannot. GSW’s window is still open as long as Steph is elite. This is a fact you lifetime losers cannot comprehend. You still don’t have a player that is even half as good as Steph Curry currently is. I’ve had it, Dub Nation should never have to take it from “we won our last ring 50 years ago” types like this!
This is typical wannabee ballers …..
You think you know ball cause you witnessed a good run by your home team. How special …..
East coast taught the World how to play. We civilized you into sports …….
You enjoy the 45 wins. Cause I’m sure there is no one in the west who is better.
Now that is funny. West coast taught the world how to play in style.
Knick, buddy heild looking toasted in Philly. Melton couldn’t get on the floor because of injuries. Anderson never saw a tre he liked. Who the hades is lindy waters. Dubs under 42 wins.
What does Hield have anything to do with Klay? They don’t play the same role. I don’t even see the reason to mention them in conjunction with each other
Really formerlyz? I understand why they’re saying it. Buddy Hield is strictly an outside shooter but so was Klay Thompson for his career so far.
You’re not seeing that?
He Wasn’t really a dribble Drive guy very much and couldn’t really create his own shot. Couldn’t create for others he’s just a three-point shooter if you narrow it down.
Sure he’s 10 times the player Buddy Heild was or is but I can see why they’re mentioned in the same sentence. Klay is known for his three-point shooting and so is Buddy Hield.
I think Buddy at half the price will bring exactly what Klay would have this year if he had stuck with the warriors. So you get the Melton kid and his defense in addition to Heild so maybe it benefits the warriors. Fingers crossed.