Inside The Warriors

Free Agent's Reason for Choosing Warriors Over Lakers Revealed

This NBA free agent chose the Golden State Warriors over the Los Angeles Lakers

Joey Linn

Feb 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The marquee sign at Crypto.com Arena prior to the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; The marquee sign at Crypto.com Arena prior to the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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It was announced on Thursday by The Athletic's Shams Charania that the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers had agreed to a sign and trade deal that lands Buddy Hield with the Warriors. Hield was a free agent, so several teams were pursuing him, but he reportedly chose the Warriors over other teams for one specific reason.

In a new article from The Athletic, it was revealed that Hield chose Golden State over the Los Angeles Lakers due to his belief they are more equipped to win.

"Hield chose the Warriors because of the opportunity to win, per league sources. His suitors included the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers," The Athletic wrote.

If winning is a priority, turning down a move to the Pistons makes sense, but there is not much that separates Golden State and Los Angeles right now. The Warriors have made some solid moves on the margins after losing Klay Thompson, but will that be enough to seriously re-enter championship contention after missing the playoffs entirely? It seems very unlikely.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson shoots over Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield
Dec 5, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots over Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports / D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

While Los Angeles is not in a much better spot than Golden State, they did make the playoffs last season, finishing one game better than their Pacific Division rivals in the Western Conference standings. Neither the Lakers or Warriors project to be serious title contenders next season unless some unexpected moves take place, but Hield reportedly felt Golden State was in a better position to win.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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