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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks complains about a call after he was fouled by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center on January 07, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Veteran Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield knows very well that he could be on the move by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline in a potential deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, the sharpshooter views the possibility of being traded positively, hoping to help his next team while carrying himself like a professional.
“Whatever happens, happens, I’m just thankful to have a job,” Hield said of the Giannis trade rumors, via NBC Sports Bay Area.
“I just know, whoever gets traded, that another team wants me perhaps, and I’m going to do my best to be with that team.”
If Hield is moved, it’d mark the fourth time he’d be part of an NBA trade deadline midseason transaction. The Bahamian was moved by the New Orleans Pelicans to the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 20, 2017; from the Kings to the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 8, 2022; and from the Pacers to the Philadelphia 76ers at the 2024 deadline. In July 2024, the Warriors acquired from the Sixers as part of an offseason sign-and-trade.
Giannis Trade to Warriors
Hield admittedly adopted a positive outlook on the business side of the NBA after the Pacers moved him in 2022, when he was viewed as a core piece of the Tyrese Haliburton-led franchise.
“I think after Indiana. Business of basketball. It is what it is, you can’t really get mad at it,” Hield said of his outlook towards trades. “Like you have your stint in the league and then after that it’s either one year or you’re traded the next year, trying to figure it out.”
Hield added that veteran players like him view being moved around as a compliment, because it signals that they’re valued throughout the league.
“When you get older in the league, stuff like that happens. Just trying to see how last you belong.”
Warriors Roster ‘On Edge’
Not everyone on the Warriors roster apparently shares Hield’s positive outlook amid the Giannis trade rumors. According to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, a lot of his players are “on edge” fearing about their future ahead of NBA trade deadline.
“Lots of guys on our team are on edge,” Kerr told 95.7 The Game.
“… It does feel different. Every [trade deadline] feels a little different based on the circumstances. We’re in a weird spot now with Jimmy’s injury that’s thrown everybody for a loop. … It does feel like it’s a little trickier this year and there are more possibilities, and as a result, lots of guys on our team are on edge.”
Per multiple insiders, the Warriors have made all their draft capital and every player not named Stephen Curry available in a potential Giannis trade. That includes longtime defensive anchor Draymond Green, who was previously viewed as untouchable. As such, it’s perfectly understandable why the Warriors players feel a sense of anxiety.
Kerr has also admitted to having a conversation with Green about his future.
“[Draymond and I] have talked [about the Giannis trade rumors],” Kerr said.
“I think what’s really tricky for Draymond is this is the only place he’s ever known. He’s going to have a statue outside the building someday. Really weird position for him to be in for sure because there’s never really been a time in his entire career where he even had to think about putting on another jersey.”
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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