Hield expects to sign a contract extension with Kings before deadline
The Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton gave a cliché answer after guard Buddy Hield expressed frustration over contract talks with the team following Thursday’s 105–88 preseason victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Walton didn’t mention in what stage are the negotiations between Hield and the team’s front office, but he said that Hield is a valued teammate who is working hard to answer the coaching staff’s call for him to become a better defender. Already known as one of the league’s premier 3-point shooters, Hield demonstrated improved defense Thursday against Suns guard Devin Booker, who finished with 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting.
“Everyone knows we love Buddy,” Walton said after Friday’s practice. “That’s him and the front office dealing with (contract discussions). Buddy’s been great. I think last night, defensively, he really stepped up to the challenge that we’ve been putting out there for him. All game, from the first play, he’s chasing Booker around, who’s an elite scorer in our league, and I thought that showed a lot of growth from Buddy last night.”
The Kings will have to make a move drastically because the deadline is in October 21st, so if they want to sign Hield to a rookie-scale extension they will have to do it now, otherwise he will become a restricted free agent. Hield has made it clear to the team that he wants stay but in case they don’t offer him a deal then he will take his skills somewhere else.
“As a player, you want to have that trust that the franchise has your back and we’re just waiting for them to make a move and come to an agreement,” Hield said. “They’re talking, but nothing is moving yet. Nothing has moved. I’m ready to make things happen, man. I want to make Sacramento my home. I’m ready to get this s — - done. I want to be here and if it doesn’t happen, then things can go the other way.”
Kings GM Vlade Divac recently stated that “Buddy is (a) very important piece to this franchise” and “we’ll figure something out down the road.”
“It’s natural,” Walton said. “There’s always a human element to sports and it’s important that, as a team and a culture, we recognize that. We support each other. We’re aware of those things, but at the end of the day we come down and we know our job is to play basketball, to win games, and that’s the most important thing. I think Buddy knows that and I think he has the ability to do a good job of focusing on the task at hand.”
Last season, he started in all 82 games, and averaged 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.