Warriors’ Klay Thompson replacement is a threat to win two major awards

Buddy Hield has transformed the Golden State Warriors’ offense. Steve Kerr, currently using a rotation of nearly 13 men, has revived the Warriors’ hopes of title contention along with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and their colleagues.

One of those counterparts, Buddy Hield, has become a crucial piece for Golden State, garnering early season attention and recognition for a potential Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year. As Golden State’s sixth man, Hield could take home the many awards at the end of the season.

In year nine, Hield’s career averages currently stand at 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, shooting 44 percent, 40 percent from three and 86 percent on free throws. Hield averaged 12 points, three assists and three rebounds last season, shooting 44 percent (39 percent from three) in 25 minutes. This season, Hield’s numbers are vaultedaveraging 17 points and four rebounds at 49 percent (46 percent from three). Both percentages would mark career bests for the sharpshooter.

Almost universally recognized as one of the league’s leading shooters, Hield has the numbers to back up his shooting dominance. Not only have last five years been special for Hield, but his numbers have stood the test of time over a decade.

Without his shot this season, the Warriors are likely to once again be fighting for a play-in spot. However, Golden State (11-3) has emerged as a top team in the league, currently in first place in the Western Conference along with Oklahoma City (12-4).

Early season award contenders are already standing out from the pack. Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson, both of the Atlanta Hawks, have shown flashes of stardom next to Trae Young for a struggling franchise.

Meanwhile, Evan Mobley and Ty Jerome of the Cavs warrant consideration for the award. Bigs Cade Cunnigham, Tyler Herro and Cam Thomas could also make a case for Most Improved Player with their early season starts.

Hield’s early season has been completely unexpected. Hield opened the season with 20 or more points in six of the first seven games of the season. He has cooled off since, but could unleash a flurry of threes at any time.

His shooting has opened up the lane for Stephen Curry, making it even more difficult to defend the Warriors and their three-point shooting (primarily Curry). Some might even question whether Buddy Hield has become a better fit next to Stephen Curry than Klay Thompson.

Given Thompson’s recent injury history and increased shooting slump over time, the Warriors felt obligated to move on from him. By doing so, they not only saved a lot of money, but found an almost identical player at a much cheaper price. Will the Warriors be in the Finals with their new look, or will Hield’s hot shooting come to a crashing end