The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

Chavano “Buddy” Hield is on the move again just days after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Charlotte Hornets, the 33 year old Bahamian sharpshooter has already found himself with another new team.

This time, Hield is headed to the Chicago Bulls.

The Hornets are trading Hield and cash to Chicago in exchange for guard Rob Dillingham, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Saturday.

It has been a busy few days for Hield, who was first sent from Atlanta to Charlotte on Thursday along with Ryan Nembhard and cash in exchange for veteran forward Dorian Finney Smith.

Now, before he could even settle into his new surroundings in Charlotte, Hield is packing his bags again.

The latest move sends the veteran shooter to Chicago, where he is expected to bring experience and one of the NBA’s most recognisable three point shots to a young Bulls roster.

Hield spent last season splitting time between the Golden State Warriors and Hawks. He is under contract through next season with a $9.7 million cap hit and has a $10 million player option for the 2027 28 season, according to Spotrac.

Despite being traded twice in a matter of days, Hield was eligible to be moved again because Charlotte did not aggregate his salary with another player in the original deal with Atlanta, ESPN’s Bobby Marks explained.

For Hield, the latest trade adds another chapter to a career that has already taken him across the NBA.

He has established himself as a dependable perimeter shooter and has made more than 1,500 three pointers during his NBA career.

The Bulls are projected to go over the salary cap following the trade but remain more than $34 million below the luxury tax, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.

Charlotte, meanwhile, is projected to fall to approximately $25.6 million below the luxury tax.

The Hornets are bringing in Dillingham, who will enter the 2026 27 season with a $6.9 million cap hit after Chicago exercised his team option.

Dillingham also has an $8.8 million club option for the 2027 28 season, which Charlotte must decide on by Oct. 31.

Charlotte has options for fitting Dillingham into its books. Marks reported that the team could create a $2.8 million trade exception or use the $8.2 million trade exception it received from Chicago in the February trade involving Collin Sexton.

If the Hornets use the Sexton exception, Smith projects they could also create a $9.7 million trade exception for Hield.

Dillingham was originally selected No. 8 overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2024 NBA Draft before his rights were traded to Minnesota.

The Timberwolves gave up a package that included an unprotected 2031 first round pick to acquire him, but Dillingham struggled to find consistent playing time during his season and a half in Minnesota.

He was eventually sent to Chicago as part of the trade deadline deal that brought Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota in February.

Dillingham also struggled to establish himself in Chicago, and Charlotte will now hope another change of scenery can help the young guard find his footing.

Hield, meanwhile, will head to his latest NBA home with a chance to provide Chicago with a veteran presence and proven shooting.

And after 10 NBA seasons, the 33 year old Bahamian is getting ready to do it all over again.