NBA: Kings guard Buddy Hield talks trade-request rumors going into All-Star Weekend
Kings guard Buddy Hield is heading back to Chicago for All-Star Weekend with a big platform and a lot on his mind.
Hield will step on the floor beneath the bright lights at the United Center on Saturday to take his place among the NBA’s top talents on one of the game’s grandest stages. He will be introduced as one of eight contestants in the 3-point contest and one of the world’s elite long-range shooters.
This visit will be a lot different than the last. Last time Hield went to the Windy City, he got benched. Kings coach Luke Walton pulled Hield aside at the Jan. 24 morning shootaround to tell him he was moving into a backup role against the Chicago Bulls that night after starting 126 consecutive games.
Hield hasn’t always exercised restraint in his comments to the media, but he has been careful with his words since going to the bench three weeks ago. In most of our conversations, I’ve come away thinking Hield is trying hard to put team success ahead of his own self-interests, but there have been hints of discontent.
There was another hint of that Wednesday when The Athletic, citing a source with knowledge of Hield’s thinking, reported Hield might request a trade if he remains displeased with his role. The Sacramento Bee asked Hield a series of questions on that topic following Sacramento’s 130-111 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
There was a story today that said if you continue to be unhappy with your role you might request a trade at some point. Do you want to address that?
“It’s all about winning,” Hield said. “It doesn’t matter what’s going on. I can’t control nothing. It’s all about winning and we have 28 games left, so try to finish the season out strong and try to maximize as much as I can and (win) basketball games.”
Are you unhappy with the role you’re in?
“I’m playing basketball,” Hield said. “That’s what I love doing. I’m here. I’m blessed. I can’t complain. There’s only 450 guys in the world who play in this league. It’s the best league in the world. Everybody in Europe’s trying to get here. Everybody in college is trying to get here. I’m happy. I’m great. I’m blessed. I’m humbled to be here.”
The idea of asking for a trade hasn’t crossed your mind at this point?
“That’s not my job,” Hield said. “I don’t control any of that stuff.”
Since the switch
The Kings have gone 6-4 since Walton put Bogdan Bogdanovic in the starting lineup and moved Hield into a backup role.
In those 10 games, Bogdanovic has averaged 14.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 28.8 minutes per game, shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from 3-point range with a defensive field-goal percentage of 51.4 percent. Hield has averaged 22.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 29.1 minutes per contest, shooting 50.6 percent from the field and a sizzling 49 percent from beyond the arc while posting a defensive field-goal percentage of 48 percent.
In one of those games, Hield scored a career-high 42 points. In another, he made 9 of 10 from 3-point range.
“Buddy’s been great,” Walton said. “… He’s really done a nice job of embracing that and helping the team get better as somebody we can look for, (someone the second unit) can really lean on to provide a scoring punch.”
Walton explained it wasn’t “permanent” and shouldn’t be seen as “punishment” for Hield. Walton was just looking for lineup combinations that could help the Kings win games after they lost six in a row.
Hield has clearly outplayed Bogdanovic, but the team has performed better with Hield coming off the bench. The Kings’ pace has improved slightly, from 25th in the NBA on the season to 21st over the past 10 games, but they have improved dramatically by other measures.
Sacramento ranks 21st in the NBA in offensive rating (108.2), 20th in defensive rating (110.9) and 22nd in net rating (minus-2.6). Over the past 10 games, though, the Kings are 11th in offensive rating (113.8), 17th in defensive rating (112.6) and 13th in net rating (plus-1.2).
Net rating is a good indicator of team success. The top 12 teams in net rating are all positioned for the playoffs: the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers.
Hield was recently asked if the backup role was truly something he could embrace.
“Whatever they want me to do, whether I like it or not, I’ve got to come here as a professional and do my job and stay locked in and win ballgames. That’s what I’m here to do,” he said. “That’s what I’m paid to do, so it’s working right now. You can always say that because it looks good right now, and that’s what everybody goes to. God never makes mistakes. He shows up when you’re most desperate, and I have to stay locked in and really think about stuff, and it helped me (flip) the switch. I’m just laser locked in.”
‘Time to get away’
Hield has rarely been hotter than he is right now as he heads back to Chicago for the 3-Point Contest. He made only 4 of 12 from 3-point range against the Mavericks in the final game before the All-Star break, but in the six previous games he made 30 of 59 (.508).
“Obviously, he’s one of the best shooters in the league, so I feel like he has a great chance to win it,” Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox said.
Teammate Cory Joseph agreed.
“I think his chances are very high,” Joseph said. “He’s the type of guy, when he steps on the court, he’s in rhythm. He’s extremely confident and in those types of events. I think that’s what you need. He has a quick trigger and great touch. I think he has a very good chance of winning.”
Joseph said he will be watching.
“He better win,” Joseph said. “I’m tuning in. I’ll be on vacation relaxing. I’m tuning in to watch my boy Buddy, and hopefully he brings it back to Sacramento, and not only for Sacramento, but for all his Bahamaians, too.”
Hield reached the finals of last year’s 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte. He finished third behind Joe Harris of the New Jersey Nets and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Hield will compete against another star-studded field this year. Harris is back to defend his title. Other contestants include Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat, Davis Bertrans of the Washington Wizards, Devonte’ Graham of the Charlotte Hornets and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Booker is replacing Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, who is out with a groin injury.
Hield grew up in the Bahamas and learned to shoot using a makeshift hoop he built using a plastic crate and a piece of plywood. From those humble beginnings, he signed a four-year, $86 million contract with the Kings in October that could include up to $20 million more in incentives.
At some point, Kings general manager Vlade Divac, Walton and Hield will have to address Hield’s future with the organization and his role going forward. For now, Hield is headed back to Chicago, hoping this visit will be better than the last.
“It’s a good time to get away, just relax, clear my mind, go out there and try to compete and try to win it,” Hield said. “I know (there are) a lot of great shooters, but just have fun and enjoy the time off with fans, family and friends.”
