Dillingham was traded to the Hornets and Bulls in exchange for Buddy Hield.

September 27 - According to ESPN , the Chicago Bulls will trade Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Buddy Hield and cash.

Dillingham is the 8th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft and is currently only 21 years old . He joined the Bulls before the trade deadline last season and played 30 games for the team, averaging 9.6 points and 2.8 assists per game.

Dillingham is expected to get a more significant role with the Hornets. The Hornets traded longtime starting guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in the offseason , and just a day earlier announced that second-year guard Comm Knupper was temporarily sidelined with a hamstring injury. Following the trade, the Hornets will receive a $ 9.6 million trade exception.

Hield had just joined the Hornets and had been with the team for less than a week. The Hornets acquired the experienced shooter from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade for Dorian Finney - Smith . Hield is known for his positive attitude and energetic playing style, and he also previously worked with Chicago Bulls executive vice president Bryson Graham on the New Orleans Pelicans.

Dillingham has a team option remaining on his rookie contract, after which he will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2028. Hield, on the other hand, has a player option worth approximately $ 10 million for the 2027-28 season.

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