The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The drama continues around Buddy Hield’s contract negotiations with the Sacramento Kings.

The extension for the fourth-year guard was the topic of conversation following the Kings’ 124-110 win over Melbourne United in their preseason finale Wednesday night at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

Hield finished with 14 points and six assists, but the post-game interview centred around his contract negotiations and future with the Kings.

“I don’t know if things are going to get done. If it don’t get done, me and my team will look somewhere else, probably look for another home. Until then, we’ll see what happens here. That’s the goal, to be here, and I love Sacramento.

“But if they don’t want me here, they don’t feel like I’m part of the core — I like respect and loyalty and I feel like I’m part of the group that’s been getting the team back where it needs to be. So like I said I want to be here, but if they don’t want me here I’ll find somewhere else to be.”

Hield is reportedly seeking a contract in the range of $110 million, but the Kings offered a four-year, $90 million dollar deal.

“I came from nothing. I know what it’s like not to have nothing. I move by faith. My mom, my family always has my back with whatever decision I make so I’ll be fine,” he said.

Hield is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract (four-year, $15.9-million) and is eligible for a rookie scale contract extension (up to $158.1 million over five years). The deadline for both sides to reach an agreement on the extension is October 21. The 2019-20 season tips off on October 22. Should they fail to agree on the extension, Hield could become a restricted free agent next summer if the Kings extend the $6.48 million offer.

Hield insisted he was not necessarily seeking a max contract, but something closer to his perceived value on the open market.

“It’s not always about ‘less than the max.’ It’s just, like, something that is reasonable, whereas it’s not an insult. Whereas we respect each other enough to come to an agreement. Especially a low market like this, Sacramento ... name one big free agent who came to Sacramento,” Hield said. “If every player’s not playing for the max, I don’t know why you’re in the NBA. If they don’t want to do it, (I’ll) just look for somewhere else to go. Maybe in the offseason, maybe in season, I don’t know. They have to plan. I don’t know what their plans are for me.”

Kings head coach Luke Walton spoke about Hield’s contract situation prior to the game.

“I’ve gone through it as a player and I - as a player - have over analysed things at times during my free agency and other years. As a coach I try to hang on to that as a positive as a way to be able to talk to the guys and relate to them if I feel like we need to. Just being aware of, not just contracts, but as a player, family, there’s always something going on, a human element and it is important that we are aware of it as a group and we support each other as a group,” he said. “Teammates and coaches, we have to have each other’s backs with things, and contracts are one of those things.”

The Kings recently offered backup guard Bogdan Bogdanovic a four-year, $51 million deal which remains unsigned. Third-year point guard De’Aaron Fox will be eligible for his max extension next year and 2018’s second overall pick, Marvin Bagley, the following year.

The Kings’ offseason signings were highlighted by an extension of forward Harrison Barnes, four years for $85 million.