Signal Sixers trade talks could sideline significant trade acquisition

It appears the Philadelphia 76ers are in trade talks with the Golden State Warriors.

As the first wave of free agency moves unfold, the Sixers could find themselves having to cut ties with a significant acquisition from last season.

While Buddy Hield was a candidate to leave the Sixers on the open market — which would have meant they would have lost him for next to nothing — it turns out Philadelphia could get something in return for the veteran scorer.

According to Athletics Shams Charania, Warriors, Sixers ‘in serious talks’ about potential Hield sign-and-trade deal. The Sixers could have a new player or two in the next few days, while the Warriors could get one of the league’s most prolific 3-point shooters.

When the Sixers first traded for Hield in February, they hoped it would be a long-term deal. With Philadelphia craving a three-point shooter, Hield’s skills are exactly what Nick Nurse’s system needed. Unfortunately, the on-court sample wasn’t as great as it appeared on paper.

After a stint with the Indiana Pacers, Hield got off to a great start with the Sixers before eventually playing outside the rotation.

Through the end of the 2023-2024 regular season, Hield has played in 32 games, including 14 starts. In an average of 25 minutes, Hield is scoring 12 points per game while shooting 39 percent from three on seven attempts per game.

Every trade the Sixers make before the deadline is designed to acquire a player who will have an impact on their upcoming playoff run. Although Hield had no postseason experience, the Sixers believed he would do well. However, Hield was a healthy reserve in two of the six games. In the four games he played, Hield averaged just 12 minutes, averaging five points, as he attempted fewer than five shots per game.

Late in the postseason, Hield seemed open to returning to the Sixers. 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was open to a reunion next year, but was candid that adding Hield didn’t yield the results he expected.

The Warriors may currently value Hield more than the Sixers, which is why the two teams are expected to work out a deal to send the sharpshooter out West to join his fifth team since 2016.