Despite Game 6 Heroics, Buddy Heild’s 76ers Dream Faces Termination as Klay Thompson Entices Philadelphia

Dubs star Klay Thompson stands first in the line to strip off Buddy Hield’s Philly spot. After an underwhelming season with the Indiana Pacers, the team traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the deadline. While it seemed like Hield would cement his spot alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, the latest update revealed the Golden State Warriors star’s chances at the City of Brotherly Love after his Play-in tournament disappointment.

The Sixers battled out with the New York Knicks in the playoff first round. Hield averaged only 5.5 points in the first four games, raising questions about his contract extension in the 2024 off-season. Fortunately, he played an influential role in Game 6, dropping 20 points, which included five 3-pointers in the second quarter, to chase down a 22-point deficit. However, it was too little, too late, as the Philly side lost the series, and he will most likely lose his place in the side as well.

Keeping his last four performances into consideration, the Sixers’ odds to rope in Klay Thompson rose to +325, and the Phillies have a 23.5% chance to trade him in the offseason, as per MSN. At the same time, the LA Lakers have an 18.2% chance to rope China Klay into his father’s franchise.

Both Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield had a season to forget. Hield had an 8-year low performance, averaging 12 points this season. Similarly, Thompson had a 9-year low, averaging 17.9 points. While the Dubs star was forced to come off the bench, Hield was traded out of the side ahead of the deadline. On top of that, the 31-year-old’s four-year contract will come to maturity in the 2024 offseason.

Given his poor run in the postseason for the Sixers, the chances of retaining him next season seem a little dull. Notably, he went scoreless twice in the series, playing spoilsport in Embiid’s championship dream.

Will Klay Thompson leave the Warriors?

Up until last month, this question never really crossed the Dubs fans’ minds. But, it all took a turn when Thompson took a slow walk to the locker room after going scoreless in the do-or-die play-in game. Despite the star’s statement to retire as a Warriors player, conversations about the star’s potential off-season trade have skyrocketed.

Earlier in the season, Thompson already had a disagreement with the front office. During mid-January, the Dubs offered a two-year contract worth $48 million, and the star declined it. As he approaches his free agency in the 2024 off-season, everyone expected the team to give him a better deal, considering his sudden surge in performance, averaging 20 points in the last 20 games. Unfortunately, the scoreless game is also included in the list.

The Athletic report suggested Thompson has developed a strained relationship with Joe Lacob, the Dubs owner, after the exit of Bob Myers. Amid these concerns, the report strongly suggests a possibility for Klay’s exit. At the same time, Marc Stein, a trusted NBA insider, revealed that it is unlikely to expect the star to leave the Warriors family in the offseason.

What do you make of the situation? Will Klay Thompson stay with the Warriors? Let us know in the comments below.