Sacramento let out a sigh of relief as the Kings locked down Buddy Hield for the next four years on an $86 million deal with $20 million more in incentives. This came as a shock after a 4-year, $90 million offer disgruntled the shooting guard out of Oklahoma. But Kings fans aren’t complaining as their rising star took a generous contract which will help keep Sacramento’s core unit together.
Hield will prove he is worth every penny of this transaction. Looking at his stats since his inaugural season, it is apparent that Buddy has improved every year and this season should be no exception.
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It would not be surprising to see the Kings’ shooting guard make an All-Star appearance, which is probably an incentive in his contract. He proved to be one of the best shooters in the league last year as he knocked down close to 300 treys and looks to eclipse that mark this season. The extra incentive will help drive Buddy to represent Sacramento in the Western Conference during All-Star weekend for the first time since his trade counterpart, DeMarcus Cousins.
Bringing back Hield is a great move for this franchise for the present and the future. With the Kings possessing their best roster in years, a pleased Buddy Buckets will improve chemistry on and off the court. A functioning locker room will set up Sacramento for a playoff push and construct the Kings as one of the more dominant teams in impending seasons.
With Fox, Bagley, Hield, and Bogdanovic all on the current roster, the Kings will need to do their best to keep them together as they represent one of the best young squads in the game.
Bogdanovic is up for a contract extension this year, Fox next year, and Bagley the year after. With Buddy’s hometown discount, he gives the front office a realistic chance to keep these players, as Marvin and De’Aaron will most likely seek max extensions when it is their time to sign.
The Kings may consider trading Harrison Barnes after resigning him to a 4-year, $85 million deal this summer. Barnes’ contract already made it difficult in giving Hield the money he wanted, and it will hamper Vlade and the front office in awarding Bagley, Fox, and Bogie the money they deserve.
Although Barnes will push the Kings towards their first postseason appearance since 2006, the young core will continue to develop, making Harrison less and less valuable. The Kings might look to trade him before his contract expires to make room for Fox and Bagley’s extensions.
For now, it’s a time for celebration as the Kings locked down the man that started their current rebuild. If Hield continues to play at his current pace, he will prove he is worth the investment in Sacramento. The next move is for the front office to sign Bogie and plan for the future in hopes of signing Fox and Bagley.
