NBA

Hornets trade Buddy Hield to Bulls in exchange for Rob Dillingham

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 27, 2026, 10:54 IST

In a strategic offseason move, the Charlotte Hornets have traded veteran shooter Buddy Hield to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for young guard Rob Dillingham and cash considerations, creating a new trade exception for Charlotte.

Hornets trade Buddy Hield to Bulls in exchange for Rob Dillingham

The Charlotte Hornets have continued their active offseason by finalizing a trade that sends veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield to the Chicago Bulls. In exchange for the experienced guard, Charlotte will receive Rob Dillingham and additional cash considerations, a move that also grants the Hornets a significant trade exception.

This transaction marks another chapter in a busy period for the Hornets as they look to reshape their roster. By moving Hield, Charlotte sheds salary while acquiring Dillingham, a young combo guard who now joins his third franchise since the trade deadline in February. Dillingham was previously involved in a deal that saw him move from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Hornets in a trade involving Ayo Dosunmu.

Strategic Roster Adjustments for Both Franchises

For the Chicago Bulls, the acquisition of Hield provides an immediate boost to their perimeter shooting. Hield enters his 11th professional season with a reputation as a high-volume threat, boasting a career average of 39.5 percent from beyond the arc on 7.3 attempts per game. The inclusion of cash considerations in the deal helps the Bulls manage the financial differential of the trade.

The Hornets, meanwhile, are prioritizing long-term flexibility and potential. By offloading Hield’s contract, the organization has secured a trade exception, providing them with additional maneuverability in the current market. The move represents a calculated shift for Charlotte, as they look to integrate Dillingham into their backcourt rotation and assess his development as a combo guard. For Hield, the move to Chicago marks his seventh stop in the NBA, as the veteran continues his career as one of the league's most consistent outside shooters.