The Atlanta Hawks’ deadline activity created opportunities for other teams, such as the LA Clippers, through trades with the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. Buddy Hield was a name sent with Jonathan Kuminga for Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kennard was dealt to Los Angeles for Gabe Vincent, yet Jake Fischer of ‘The Stein Line’ reported via X(formerly Twitter) that the Hawks had plans to retain both veterans; a buyout would not occur.
I'm told the plan is for Atlanta to keep both of Gabe Vincent and Buddy Hield.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 5, 2026
Of the two, Hield was the relatively more appealing option to the Clippers, due to his three-point shooting expertise. Additionally, he is averaging eight points in 17.3 minutes, with exceptional availability over the last two seasons.
Thus, Clippers fans are disappointed. Hield is a household name that could have helped Tyronn Lue in LA, especially with the addition of Darius Garland. Their combined brilliance from the perimeter is a playoff success recipe, yet the power lies in Atlanta, and Fischer made it clear where their mind is at.
Buddy Hield playing for the Hawks should not stop the Clippers
Any rotational floor-spacer would have been useful to the LA Clippers. Buddy Hield is among the best of them, with a long, spectacular career as the rationale, as well as a 2020 NBA three-point contest trophy in his showcase.
Maybe later, when his four-year, $37.7 million contract expires in 2028, the Clippers can finally employ him. He has been a veteran on several teams over the years, primarily in the Pacific Division with the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, but never in Inglewood, California.
Moreover, given that the Clippers may still be aiming to clear roster space before time runs out, one of their focuses must be the buyout market. This is a smart way to acquire valuable rotational pieces, as they have done with prominent talents like Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook.
Both of these names played valuable roles for the Clippers at one point, and as a result, the hunt should not end just because Hield, along with Gabe Vincent, will be retained.
That said, the Clippers have had a great deadline so far, with the blockbuster James Harden deal and a move on Chris Paul correlated to roster space, and fans hope that there is more to come.
There are too many outlets to advance the supporting cast around Kawhi Leonard, and the front office knows the arguably best and most effective option is to buy certain available players out.