TRADED: Buddy Hield swapped for Rob Dillingham, the TRADE EXCEPTION ERA?
September 27, 2026
AI Summary
5 min readThe golden era of Buddy Hield trades is not over. On the eve of training camps, the Charlotte Hornets sent the peripatetic shooter—along with cash—to the Chicago Bulls, creating a $9.6 million trade exception that both hosts, Ryan Blackburn and Andy Kamenetsky, immediately identified as the real headline. Hield, about to enter his 11th season with what will be his seventh team, has become “the Bahamian Dennis Schröder,” Blackburn observed: a solid player whose value now resides almost entirely in his contract structure. The Bulls, meanwhile, get a volume three-point shooter who hasn’t hit 40 percent from deep since 2022–23, which Blackburn summarized with a shrug: “That nine seed ain’t gonna win itself.”
The trade exception era
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What you'll learn
- 1 (02:14) **Welcome & Buddy Hield's Latest Trade** - Ryan Blackburn and Andy Kamenetzky introduce the show, reacting to the breaking news of Buddy Hield being traded again.
- 2 (04:40) **The "Trade Exception Era" and Charlotte's Strategy** - The hosts analyze the financial mechanics of the trade and what it means for the Hornets' long-term plan.
- 3 (07:05) **Hornets' Roster Questions and Lamelo Ball's Future** - The discussion shifts to the Hornets' overall roster construction and the implications for their star player.
- 4 (09:26) **What Buddy Hield Brings to the Chicago Bulls** - The focus turns to Chicago's side of the trade and what Hield adds to their roster.
- 5 (10:08) **Segment Intro: Second-Contract Players & Rob Dillingham** - The show transitions to a new topic, using Rob Dillingham's trade as a jumping-off point.
- 6 (14:08) **Top Second-Contract Player: Zachary Risacher** - Andy identifies the Mavericks' forward as his top candidate for a career revival.
- 7 (18:06) **Other Notable Second-Contract Players** - Ryan and Andy list several other players who fit the "second-contract" mold.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
On today’s Locked On NBA Game Night we discuss Buddy Hield, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Rob Dillingham, LaMelo Ball, NBA trade exceptions, cap management, and second contract NBA players.
Ryan Blackburn & Andy Kamenetzky break down the Buddy Hield trade from the Charlotte Hornets to the Chicago Bulls, analyzing how the move exemplifies the NBA’s growing focus on trade exceptions and financial maneuvering. The hosts spotlight Rob Dillingham’s journey as an example of young NBA talent getting shuffled between organizations and what it means for player development. They examine the Hornets’ long-term direction after moving on from LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, weighing the cultural and strategic shifts within the franchise. Chicago’s motivation for adding Buddy Hield’s shooting is discussed, along with realistic expectations for the Bulls’ competitiveness. The conversation expands to a broader look at “second contract guys” across the league, highlighting players like Zacharrie Risacher who could break out on new teams if given the right opportunity. Throughout, Blackburn and Kamenetzky dissect how NBA teams’ financial strategies are impacting roster decisions and the unfolding storylines for emerging players.
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