Bulls aquire Buddy Hield from Hornets in late-offseason twist

The Bulls are shaking up their roster weeks before their season kicks off.

Chicago traded guard Rob Dillingham to the Hornets for veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield and cash, ESPN reported Saturday.

Dillingham, 21, played just 30 games for the Bulls last season after being dealt by the Timberwolves at the trade deadline.

Rob Dillingham looks to block Ben Saraf’s shot during the second half of the
Timberwolves’ win over the Nets on Nov. 3, 2025 at Barclays Center. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

The No. 8 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Dillingham showed signed of improvement for Chicago after playing increased minutes. He averaged 9.6 points and 2.8 assists on 42.8 percent shooting in 21.5 minutes a night during his brief tenure with the Bulls.

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Dillingham could see a further increase in minutes with Charlotte, who traded All-Star guard LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves earlier this offseason and with second-year swingman Kon Knueppel being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

He currently has one year left on his rookie contract via team option before reaching restricted free agency in the summer of 2028.

As for the Bulls, they bring in the more experienced Hield, who is entering his 11th season in the NBA.

Hield started last season on the Warriors before being traded alongside Johnathan Kuminga to the Hawks for star bigman Kristaps Porzingis in February.

Buddy Hield looks upcourt during the second half of the Warriors’ win over the Trail Blazers on Jan. 13, 2026 in San Francisco. AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

The 33-year-old played in just seven games for Atlanta, with the Hawks trading him with Ryan Nembhard to the Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith earlier this month.

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Across 51 games with the Warriors and Hawks last season, Hield averaged 7.6 points while making 1.5 3-pointers on 34.9 percent shooting behind the arc.

Hield holds a player option worth roughly $10 million for the 2027-28 season.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bulls-aquire-buddy-hield-hornets-014053845.html

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Publish date : 2026-09-27 01:40:00

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