In a league where bromances are as much a part of the entertainment as buzzer-beaters and breakaway dunks, one of the NBA’s most unexpected-and most entertaining-duos has been split up. The Golden State Warriors made a move at the trade deadline, sending sharpshooter Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a deal to bring in big man Kristaps Porzingis. And just like that, Hield’s on-court antics with Jimmy Butler came to an end-at least for now.
The Butler-Hield dynamic was something special. Not your typical star-and-sidekick pairing, the two had a chemistry that was equal parts trash talk and genuine camaraderie.
Whether it was playful jabs during warmups or light-hearted digs during interviews, they brought a levity to the Warriors locker room that fans couldn’t get enough of. It was the kind of chemistry that doesn’t just happen-it’s built on mutual respect, shared work ethic, and a whole lot of laughs.
Even after the trade, the bond hasn’t broken. Butler, who’s been sidelined with a torn ACL, posted a screenshot on Instagram showing a FaceTime call with Hield, a quiet nod to the friendship that’s still very much intact. Hield, never one to miss a beat, jumped into the comments with a joke about being traded, keeping the spirit of their banter alive.
Their connection went beyond game-day antics. These two were offseason workout partners, pushing each other behind the scenes long before the lights came on. And when Butler went down with that season-ending injury, Hield was one of the first to check in.
“He’s being Jimmy. He’s happy,” Hield said.
“Of course, injury, he wants to play. Everybody wants to play.
I text him, call him. He’s in high spirits.
For a person to be in high spirits after an injury like that just shows his character.”
That’s classic Butler-gritty, resilient, and always finding a way to lead, even from the sidelines.
But the NBA is a business, and the Warriors had moves to make. Sitting in the thick of a playoff race, Golden State opted to bolster their frontcourt by acquiring Porzingis, a stretch-five who gives them a new dimension on both ends of the floor. In return, they sent out Jonathan Kuminga and Hield, the latter of whom had been providing solid minutes off the bench.
Before the trade, Hield was averaging eight points per game while shooting 34.4% from beyond the arc. He also chipped in 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per night. Not eye-popping numbers, but his role was clear-spacing the floor, knocking down open looks, and bringing energy off the bench.
Now, with Hield in Atlanta and Butler rehabbing, the NBA loses one of its more entertaining duos-at least temporarily. But if their friendship is any indication, this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the Buddy & Jimmy show. Whether it’s offseason workouts, social media antics, or a future reunion on the court, these two seem destined to keep the laughs coming.