Buddy Hield is causing another stir, this time by saying nothing.
Hield, whose big four-year extension kicks in next season, is refusing to answer any of coach Luke Walton‘s phone calls, according to Jason Jones of The Athletic.
Hield hinted at a trade demand before the Kings front office handed him an extension worth up to $106MM, with $86MM in guarantees plus an additional $20MM in incentives.
His statistics took a tumble in Walton’s first season at the Kings’ head coach. He averaged 19.2 PPG while shooting 42.9% overall and 39.4% from deep. He also averaged a career-high 2.3 turnovers.
In his third season prior to signing the extension, Hield posted averages of 20.7 PPG on .458/.427 shooting while committing 1.8 turnovers per game. He started all 82 games that season but came off the bench in 28 of 72 games this season.
Hield was reportedly unhappy with a sixth man role.
In order for Hield to be dealt, he’d have to be traded to a team with sufficient cap room. Alternatively, the team acquiring him would have to match salaries. He’s apparently expressed a desire to join the Sixers, as Jones notes that he liked an Instagram post linking him to a trade there. Hield also liked a news alert on Twitter about Doc Rivers being hired as the Sixers’ head coach.
The Sixers have some big contracts, most notably Al Horford and Tobias Harris, that they could look to deal.
Jones provides an interesting side note that might make Hield happier in Sacramento. Jones confirmed that the Kings are interested in hiring Hield’s former Pelicans coach, Alvin Gentry, as one of Walton’s top assistants.
In any case, the situation regarding Hield, who carries a team-high $24.9MM cap hit next year, bears watching.
Unbelievable. Wants it both ways. Signs the contract to “commit” but now is unhappy. Wants to straddle the fence. Can’t have things both ways pal. Should have elected free agency and played out his rookie deal.
So now if you’re the Kings do you take back Al Horford and his crummy contract for 2 years just to get rid of this guy? I say not. Keep him playing Heild in the role you want to play him and if he is unhappy just have him fight through it and grow up. If he sits out then he doesn’t get paid. Let’s go, it’s not about you buddy. Be a team-first guy. Doesn’t like coming off the bench sheesh who’s number one in his life…
ya what he said lol
It’s possible he addressed these concerns before signing the contract, was told he’d be a starter, which he was before he signed, and then lied to, to get him to sign.
Now, all that said, you signed the deal you need to own up to it. However, I have zero issue with making a trade demand if that was the case.
Man NBA players so soft these days…when you get that kind of extension it’s time to shape up…also…I’m sure the Kings are really interested in taking back Horford…Buddy is a joke
Always felt that being disgruntled with the team and then demanding a trade screws the team twice. You will dog it when playing and other teams know you want out so they will low ball trade offers. As Gary said, make him deal with it but that battle of wills would probably destroy team chemistry. Only option is to deal him to the worst team in the league…definitely do not trade him to a playoff contender.
Cleveland, Detroit, New York…let Thibs deal with him for a few years.
afoonser@ that could possibly be but I doubt it because that word would spread like wildfire. But perhaps that’s why Vlade is out? Too many lies?
Actually I think Hield was told Bogdan would likely be the starter, and by signing, would agree to it. But Hield either changed his mind or decided to make the cynical choice about the way the game is played… he will get paid whoever employs him
I think Gary was referring to the way Hield was claiming that he was willing to do whatever was required, and that was a selling point for signing him high. Well that claim does not seem to be true!
If that’s true then he has no room to complain. However none of us know what went down, other than he WAS a starter when he signed the deal.
End of the day it’s a business. Kings can trade or cut him on a whim, so if he’s disgruntled, it’s his right to let his coach know about it. When he starts missing mandatory practice and games, then it becomes an issue.
For now, it’s 2 people not seeing eye to eye on the role of a player. I personally doubt Buddy will refuse to play with that much money due to him.
That’s not an official line; but it fits the timeline and explains what is known. Hield quite suddenly started speaking out angrily, as if, in front of a due date, he was informed Bogan was the preferred starter at the 2. As things got tense, the point he kept making was he could play backup or whatever was asked, although he was the starter. Then a little later, he was the backup, and in general the media commended the FO for deciding that.
I am assuming that the decision was made earlier at the appropriate time, in the offseason, and seems right, but the FO would rather not look like they did not handle it right, so to keep the “blame” on Hield.
The plan is, Hield’s contract should help to get Bogan signed, then he would be equally useful in trade to a team wanting 3pt%, while Bogan is more useful to a team wanting to stay organized with a speed PG like Sacto & Fox.
I think they should come clean and take some blame so that Hield does not lose value with his outbursts.
No one is ever guaranteed a starting role though. If he wants to be treated like a better player he needs to first become one.
I guess you can say what do they have to lose,since they don’t have the best of images to begin with.But telling one of their top players that it’s too bad he doesn’t like his role,will go a long way to make sure they don’t help their losing image.
“Hey Buddy, It’s me again. Luke. I know you’re getting these. You mad at me? Call me.”
New phone, who dis?
It’s Luke I got your number from your agent. Call me please.
Buddy: luke I signed for max because as a free agent didn’t you know I wouldn’t have gotten the max? I never wanted to be here I just want money!”
He didn’t get a max contract.He got 4-86,max would’ve been more like 5-135/140.
Your name is Buddy. Enough said.
Reminds me of Mike Piazza saying he refuses to call a grown man “Chipper.”
Just another reason pro sports are getting harder to follow. So sick of these prima donnas. Try the real world sometime or crawl back to the hole you came from.
If it works for LeBron, then it works for everyone.
Lebron has never ask to be traded.. he’s left.. I’d leave the Cavs owner too twice if I was a player..didn’t Westbrook force a trade from okc? Didn’t harden leave okc cause they wouldnt pay him..you are just mad cause lakers beat you so bad your own player would rather get a piece than star for the ass whooping the team got or you coach leaving because he knew he had no shot
That guy is seriously so butt hurt over the Rockets failures his azz must be just numb.
I understand what your saying. However the last time I got upset with a boss I just started taking interviews for a different job. He can’t do that because they work with 4-5 year contracts. We can only guess at what he was told before he signed.
If he was lied to I can understand why he is upset. I know I would be if I signed up for one job and they moved me to another I wasn’t thrilled with.
If you don’t want to read stories about prima donnas then you can simply not read them.
He’s got his new deal…why doesn’t he come back and push himself and his teammates….if he performs he should make his way into the starting line up
He still gets paid the big money whether he starts or sits anyway
BUT he wouldn’t get paid if he got suspended by the team for insubordination or violation of tam rules or whatever they want to call it. Not taking your head coach’s call is funny and all, but the team could easily support suspending him without pay or even voiding the contract altogether for that kind of stunt. There is no such thing as a 100% guaranteed ironclad contract in America.
If I was walton, I’d play bogdanovic over him too.. Hield is a me guy that doesn’t care if her wins.. he just wants his stats.. here’s an idea, play some d
If I was the Kings, I would trade him to NY Knicks just because lol
Hield, Bjelica for Batum(expiring contract), Monk, Rozier, Martin, protected 1st and a 2nd
Wow would the Hornets do that? Looks a little lopsided…
Exactly. The Hornets would never give up that much for this guy. Hield has skills, but his attitude is not helping his value. He’s kind of like Marcus Smart. You are not just trading for his stats, you are trading for the human being that put up those stats as well.
An analogy I think of is a really good looking woman with a rotten personality. After you get to know her, she might not be as good looking to you anymore.
How is he like Marcus Smart, a guy who really positively impacts winning? :)
Maybe the Marcus Smart of a few years ago, when Celtic nation favored Tatum & Brown at the 2 and found him too uncreative for the 1.
Funny how Smart beat out both of the high picks!— they are the playoff forwards now. Actually they weren’t picked much higher than Smart was, but Smart has that scrappy feel.
“Hield has skills, but his attitude is not helping his value. He’s kind of like Marcus Smart.” That kind of sounds like you’re dissing Marcus Smart. Was that your intention? Because if it is, I think you’re WAY off base.
Are you telling me that Marcus Smart didn’t have an attitude problem and a disciplinary problem when he entered the league? He could be better now, but I don’t know, I am not his shrink.
I’d do that if I was Charlotte
NBA players are the softest of all pro-sports smh…As soon as they get that guaranteed money their tune totally changes ‘trade me cuz someone hurt my feelings’…’its all the coaches fault so he needs to be fired’…’let’s team up to make super teams cuz, you know, that’s way easier’…soft! lol
Heild and s/t Harry Giles for B. Griffin, L. Kennard and 2 second rd. Picks
You cannot attach additional players in a sign and trade.
This nonsense in basketball where players refuse to honor commitments and all it takes is one or two players to derail a team is why I am watching the other major sports more and more.
Good for you Buddy! I wouldn’t answer Luke’s calls neither! This guy is by far one of the top 5 shooters in the league, he does what he have to do.
SAC dissed him badly last year pulling that stunt of benching him to play a total bum instead!
SAC shot themselves on their foot, just hope Buddy can move somewhere that he can be appreciated.
That is the most basic human need to be somewhere that you are wanted & needed.
I think he would rock in PHI, & the team would be so much better with him next to Simmons/Embiid!
Buddy just needs some love for the awesome play he has had over the years in SAC!
#FreeBuddy
#FireUselessLuke
Pick up the phone Buddy.
Trade Ben Simmons for him, other pieces would have to get involved because of salary, but if you get rid of Simmons in Philly you get rid of most of your issues
Also, snag Dennis Smith Jr from the Knicks somehow and voilà there is a tremendous backcourt if things go right
Love that hes actually on board with headed to Philly. Horford + Thunder 2020 and 2 2nd round picks.
Philly would have to be sending out more value. Those picks basically negate Horford’s horrid contract. I think a young player like Matisse Thybulle would also have to heading back to the Kings
I don’t think they would deal Thybulle, they would just add picks.
Harris could also be an option. Harris 1/2 2nds for Buddy and Bjelica.
If they went full 2k mode they would do that Harris trade and then trade Horford, Jrich, Zhaire Thunder 2020 1st, 2 2nds for CP3.
Would be some trash defense but better fitting offense. CP3 + Ben = lob city 2.0
Nobody cares how AD left NOLA – and nobody cares about the Kings.
The Sixers will offer whatever combination of Harris/Horford/Richardson. ATL will offer anyone except Trey and Collins.
ten, nine, eight, seventy sixers!
I still find it hard that the Kings hired Walton after he washed out with the Lakers. He is still living off his reputation with the Warriors as an assistant. Steve Kerr is the brains behind the Warriors while Walton was a good assistant. Does anyone think that Hield would pull that stunt with Pop or Doc? Weak coaches get exploited. Hield should just shut up and act like a good teammate and adult.
He should shut up and do his job. And the team shouldn’t have paid him if he wasn’t going to start. Both parties would be better off parting. Hield to the 76ers would be a match made in heaven. Embiid Harris Richardson hield simmons .. or maybe simmons is involved in a deal for a real PG
Small market teams need to be extremely careful who they sign to long term guaranteed contracts.
Prima donnas!!
Why give him that money. To make him sixth man on a young team. That should tell you a lot there. Bogdanovic to me is better mix at SG with Fox. Considering Walton riff here. Why keep him. He has value in trade. To me they are using him to keep Bogdanovic contract down. Better get their act together. They could lose both. Buddy to Philly is interesting. Horford would be a solid vet in Sac. But his contract is too big for this team. They don’t need to give Buddy away. Buddy needs to go where he can start at the 2. Get his game in order. He’s a solid reliable scorer. He should be able to fit in with few teams. Lakers can surely use another reliable scorer. Plus can grow with AD after Bron moves on. Kuz can fit in at SF in Sac. I don’t think Sac will have problems moving Buddy.
as a sixer fan I would absolutely love this if we can get hield by giving up horford man I think it’d be great for us he’ll finally give us a shooter yeah I’m all for it
Kings want to make playoffs
When？
Idk kinda makes sense to me. When you’re the best scorer on your team and you’re not even given a starting spot I would want to get out too. If I’m gonna come off the bench might as well want it to be a contending team