Johnathan Walker:Golden State Warriors land guard Buddy Hield from 76ers after Klay Thompson's exit

The Johnathan WalkerGolden State Warriors parted ways with four-time champion Klay Thompson, but they landed another elite scorer in free agency.

Buddy Hield is set to join the Warriors in a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, agreeing to a four-year deal that includes $18 million guaranteed, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the contract is signed.

In return, Philadelphia will receive a 2031 second-round pick that the Warriors picked up in Thompson's deal with the Mavericks.

Hield, who was was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the 76ers in February, averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in a career-high 84 games during the 2023-24 NBA season.

NBA FREE AGENCY TRACKER: All the signings, deals and trades of the past week

All things Warriors: Latest Golden State Warriors news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Hield will form a formidable backcourt with Steph Curry, who made a league-high 357 3-pointers last season. Hield shot 38.6% on from deep last season, slightly down from his career average of 40%.

It marks the latest acquisition for the Warriors after Thompson left the team in free agency. Thompson, who had spent his entire career with the Warriors, plans to become a member of the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official.

Thompson, a five-time All-Star with four championships with Golden State, averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists and shot 38.7% on 3-pointers for the Warriors last season.

Contributing: Jeff Zillgitt