Buddy Hield

Between Golden State and Atlanta, Hield wasn’t a fantasy basketball factor last season. Could that change in Chicago? He’s played consistent rotation minutes off the bench this preseason, and the veteran guard shot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. While Hield had a good showing, there’s no need to consider him in drafts. If he is consistently productive during the season, you can pick him up off the waiver wire.

The Bulls also acquired cash as part of the deal. Chicago gets a veteran shooter in Hield, who was traded by the Hawks earlier this week. He averaged 7.6 points in 51 games last season. Hield can still shoot, but doesn’t offer much more to fantasy managers at this point in his career.

Hield, who began the 2025-26 season with the Warriors before being sent to Atlanta in the Jonathan Kuminga trade, appeared in just seven games for the Hawks. With Atlanta adding Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins via trade and Kingston Flemings via the draft, Hield’s chances of earning rotation minutes were unlikely to improve, even though the Hawks guaranteed his salary for next season. Unfortunately for Hield, Charlotte has a similar logjam on the wings, lowering his chances of becoming fantasy-relevant in 2026-27.

With Hield’s $9.66 million salary reportedly going to be guaranteed, the Hawks will retain a proven veteran who has consistently been one of the league’s best three-point shooters. His salary could also be used as filler in a potential trade, according to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer. Regardless, Hield didn’t have much value in fantasy leagues last season aside from scenarios in which managers need streaming options for three-point production. He barely played at all for the Hawks after the trade.

Hield has only made a few appearances since the Hawks acquired him, mostly during blowouts. However, with the Hawks resting their rotation players, Hield was able to supply plenty of offense off the bench in just 21 minutes. He isn’t going to be part of their rotation during the playoffs, but he is still a capable floor spacer. Unless the Hawks move him this offseason, he’ll likely remain in a limited role again next year.

Available to make his Hawks debut, Hield did not play as Quin Snyder stuck to a nine-man rotation. While things could always change after the All-Star break, since the team will be able to get in some practice time, Hield wasn’t a good fantasy option with the Warriors before the trade. There’s no need to roster him in fantasy leagues.

Days after trading Vit Krejčí to the Trail Blazers, the Hawks have added a shooter to their ranks in Hield. The consistent minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball were challenging to come by in the Bay Area when the Warriors were whole, so the change of scenery may do Hield some good. In 44 appearances, he averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 three-pointers in 17.5 minutes per game.

With Jimmy Butler III (knee) done for the season, it was “all hands on deck” for the Warriors on Tuesday. Hield, who has been in the rotation the last three games, recorded season-highs in points and three-pointers against the Raptors. The sharpshooter was a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc, and while duplicating that feat in future games will be challenging, Hield can return to fantasy relevance. For deep-league managers needing three-point production, he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Having fallen out of the Warriors’ rotation recently, Hield logged 23 minutes on Monday. The Warriors didn’t have De’Anthony Melton (knee) for injury management reasons, freeing up minutes for the veteran shooting guard. Hield took advantage of his opportunity, with the 16 points being the most in a game for him since November 24. Depending on how much time Jimmy Butler misses after injuring his right knee, Hield could remain in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

The Warriors have made just one change to the lineup that began Saturday’s win over the Cavaliers. With Butler available, Jonathan Kuminga heads to the bench. While he should still play plenty, Kuminga’s fantasy ceiling is lowered with the move to the second unit.

Hield played 31 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Heat, but the Warriors were without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. With those three available for Friday’s contest, Hield’s playing time will likely decrease. At best, he’s an option for deep-league managers needing three-pointers.

While he is dealing with an illness, the probable tag suggests Hield will be cleared to play. If so, his fantasy value is limited when the Warriors are close to full strength, as they’re expected to be on Friday. Hield is only worth rostering in deep leagues at this point in the season, and that may be generous.

Hield had 18 points in 31 minutes against the Heat on Wednesday. With the Warriors down multiple starters, the 32-year-old shooting guard had season-highs in points and minutes. Hield usually plays about half as much as he did in the 14-point loss to the Heat, which is why he’s had a minimal fantasy impact this year.

Hield played through an illness on Tuesday against the Magic and he’s set to do the same against the Heat on Wednesday. The 32-year-old shooting guard is averaging career-lows in minutes, points and three-pointers this year, leaving him off the fantasy radar.

Hield played through an illness on Tuesday, but there is a chance he misses Wednesday’s game. He hasn’t played a large role this year, but his minutes will likely be divided up between Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II and Will Richard.

As expected, Hield will be good to go after initially being listed as probable. He’s averaging 6.9 points and 1.2 three-pointers in 16.8 minutes per game this season, all of which are career-lows for him.

Hield is dealing with an illness, but the probable tag suggests he’ll ultimately be available on Tuesday. While he can provide three-pointers off the bench, rookie Will Richard has passed Hield in the rotation recently. Hield is not a must-roster player in most leagues.

After scoring five points and making one three-pointer in the first half, Hield knocked down four triples in the third and fourth quarters to help the Warriors gain control of the season opener. He didn’t provide much value beyond points and three-pointers, but that’s the expectation for Hield, especially in his current role. Category league managers needing triples can consider rostering Buddy Buckets if he’s sitting on the waiver wire, but his fantasy ceiling is limited.

Hield was in better form Wednesday night after shooting 1-of-4 from three in Golden State’s preseason opener on Sunday. The veteran guard came off the bench to shoot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc against the Trail Blazers, finishing as one of three Warriors reserves in double figures (Quinten Post and LJ Cryer were the others). Regarding fantasy value, Hield is in a difficult spot due to his status as a reserve. While he’ll undoubtedly play rotation minutes, his value depends on whether he can get hot from deep.

Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.