Buddy Hield’s hot-and-cold shooting streak remains a rollercoaster for the Warriors, but right now, he’s dialed in. Golden State has been on a tear, winning 11 of their last 13 games. After back-to-back rough outings—where he shot a miserable 3-of-15 overall and an even uglier 1-of-10 from beyond the arc—Hield bounced back in style against the Trail Blazers, letting it fly with confidence.
And when you know when you’re playing good, people want to hear you talk. That’s why it was Hield‘s turn to be a guest on the 95.7 The Game interview. But he made a shocking confession on-air. He wanted the Warriors to trade him. Woah, wait… what?
Yup, you read that right. At the end of the day, business drives the NBA, so teams trade anyone, no matter how important that player is to a franchise. This cruel reality couldn’t have been any more clear than with the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade. Then again, something of a similar situation was the Wiggs-Butler trade.
Speaking on 95.7 The Game, Hield opened up about the emotional impact of Wiggins’ departure, saying, “It was emotional in the locker room because I was even more emotional because I wish it was me that got traded. Wiggs did so much for this franchise, and I hate to see him go like that.”
The Canadian veteran played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ 2022 championship run, especially in the Finals, where he put up 18.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His relentless rebounding and lockdown defense stood out the most, particularly in the Finals. Wiggins dominated the glass and took on the toughest defensive assignments, making life difficult for Jayson Tatum.
It was no surprise that Hield didn’t (couldn’t) hold back on how much Wiggins meant to the Warriors, adding (repeating), “You know, and I forgot that I hate to see, you know, go like that, you know, because he’s done so much for this franchise, you know. And I said, man, I wish that was me because he’s put his mark on this franchise.”
The sharpshooter also acknowledged Wiggs’ deep connection with the city, saying, “I know how much he mentioned his franchise, and uh, the city of San Fran.”
That said, Buddy Hield has also been adjusting to his role as a Warrior. He started 12 straight games early in the season, but the team moved him to the bench after the All-Star break. Explaining the sudden shift, Coach Kerr said, “Buddy has settled into the six-man role really well. And I feel right now, if those two [Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski] and Buddy can give us that secondary scoring that we need after Steph and Jimmy, we’re going to be tough to beat.”
Rather than letting the lineup change shake his confidence, Hield has leaned into his new role, bringing instant offense and energy off the bench. For Golden State, that kind of firepower makes all the difference, especially in a league where depth can determine a team’s success.
For now he remains with the Warriors, breaking records.
Buddy Hield made history against the Trail Blazers
Ever since Jimmy Butler arrived in Golden State before the trade deadline, the Warriors have been on a tear. Their latest win, a 130-120 victory over Portland, marked their fifth straight, pushing them to 37-28 in the West.
For Buddy Hield, the night had extra significance. Not only did he snap out of a shooting slump with 20 points, seven assists, and two rebounds off the bench, but he also passed Eric Gordon for 16th on the NBA’s all-time made threes list. Now at 2,089 triples, he’s closing in on Hall of Famer Paul Pierce (2,143). Hield made his mark early, drilling a three off a Draymond Green assist in the second quarter. “Just finding the ball and finally making some shots… playing off the head of the snake, which is Steph and Jimmy,” he said.
Butler recorded his first triple-double with the Warriors—15 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists—while Stephen Curry led the team with 24 points. Gary Payton II stepped up off the bench, dropping 26.
Golden State built a 19-point halftime lead, but Portland fought back, trimming it to four. Hield and Moses Moody quickly responded with back-to-back threes, shutting the door. With Butler leading the charge and Hield thriving in his role, the Warriors are clicking at the right time. If they keep this momentum going, they could be a real problem in the playoffs.