Buddy Hield is the logical Klay Thompson replacement

According to The Athletic's Anthony Slater, the Golden State Warriors are acquiring Buddy Hield in a five-team trade that expands on Klay Thompson's sign-and-trade move to the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran sharpshooter will sign a four-year deal. However, only the first two seasons are fully guaranteed.

Hield's arrival instantly replaces the perimeter shooting the franchise lost when Klay Thompson bolted for the Dallas Mavericks. If the Warriors front office had failed to add another elite-level shooter, Steve Kerr would have been forced to adjust a playstyle that has brought four championships to the Bay Area.

Golden State is landing a career 40% three-point shooter that thrives on volume. He will cook defenses off the catch, via movement and occasionally off the dribble. Hield likes to move when playing off-ball and will perfectly fit next to Steph Curry.

Most importantly, Hield's presence should limit how frequently teams look to send double and triple teams to the All-Star guard, which was a concern when Thompson left the franchise.

The Warriors front office has done an impressive job of replacing Thompson on the fly while retaining trade flexibility. Golden State has also acquired Kyle Anderson, who will provide two-way versatility. As such, losing Thompson may have improved Kerr's roster. The Warriors have become more versatile on both sides of the floor.

Hield will ensure the Warriors' pace-and-space offense continues as their calling card. Golden State is re-tooling in the hope of making another championship run. The Warriors might be one or two moves away from getting to the level they hope to be at, but Hield's addition was a masterstroke that ensures the franchise is on strong footing ahead of next season.