Steve Kerr Confirms Buddy Hield’s Future With Warriors 3 Weeks After Wild Rumor Predicted 60-Million Exchange

When Buddy Hield joined the Warriors, there were really only two ways this could go—either he’d carve out a real role in the rotation, or he’d be trade bait by February.

And early on? It definitely looked like the second option. His name was all over trade rumors. At one point, there was even buzz about him being shipped off with Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II for Nikola Vucevic—a deal that would’ve totaled $60 million.

But here we are, weeks later. Buddy’s still in a Warriors jersey. And not just that—he’s thriving. Any doubts about his future? Steve Kerr just erased them completely.

Now, if there’s one thing about Kerr, it’s that he doesn’t do fake praise. If he values a guy, he’ll say it straight. And in his latest comments, he made one thing very clear—Buddy is here to stay.

“We know kind of who our top seven or eight guys are,” Kerr said, talking about the rotation. “And then we’ve got really good role players behind that group.” Kerr went on to emphasize Hield’s value, saying, “We’re also something like 15-1 when Buddy gets about 18 or 19 points or more.”

That’s not just a stat—it’s a game-changer. This isn’t just about Buddy being on the floor; it’s about the winning impact he has when he’s locked in. And here’s the best part—he’s owning his new role.

Earlier in the season, he started 12 straight games. But after the All-Star break? Moved to the bench. Some players might’ve taken that as a slap in the face. Not Buddy. He saw it as a chance to make an even bigger impact.

“Buddy has settled into the six-man role really well,” Kerr said. “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.”

Buddy isn’t just another piece. He’s a difference-maker.

So, What Happened to That $60 Million Buddy Hield Trade?

Flashback to early February, and there was real noise about the Warriors making a move for Nikola Vucevic.

The rumored deal? Hield, Looney, and Payton—plus a 2025 lottery-protected pick—all heading to Chicago for Vucevic. On paper? It made some sense. The Warriors needed size. Vucevic is a proven scorer and can stretch the floor. It looked like it could work.

But then came the reality check. For starters—Vucevic’s contract? Massive. Committing $60 million to a center at this stage? That’s not exactly a small move. And then there was the fit. Would he really have slotted in seamlessly? Or would this have been another case of the Warriors trying to force something that wasn’t quite right?

In the end, they passed. And now, looking at how they’ve played since—5-1 with Jimmy Butler, riding a three-game win streak—it’s pretty clear they made the right call.

Meanwhile, Buddy? He’s doing exactly what they need him to do. Over his last 10 games, he’s putting up 10.9 points per game while continuing to be a knockdown shooter—2.6 made threes per game at 36.8%. His numbers aren’t going to jump off the page, but his impact? You can feel it. The spacing he provides, the rhythm he gives the offense—it’s exactly why Kerr wanted him here in the first place.

And just like that? A guy who was almost traded has become a vital piece. With the trade deadline long gone, the Warriors finally have clarity—they know who they are, who they can count on, and who’s going to help them make a real playoff push. Buddy isn’t just surviving in this system. He’s thriving in it.

And if he, Moody, and Podziemski keep bringing that extra spark off the bench? Golden State is going to be a serious problem for the rest of the league.