The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AS a member of the Sacramento Kings for the foreseeable future, Buddy Hield said the focus now returns to the basketball court and getting his Kings to the playoffs.

Hield and Kings general manager Vlade Divac addressed the media for the first time since Hield signed his contract extension just hours before Monday’s deadline.

“I’m just thankful that we got to an agreement,” Hield said. “Looking at the years going by, ever since Vlade made the trade for me, his vision he had for me, this just felt right. I know what I have going on for me here. It was a gut feeling decision, but Sacramento is home for me. I think that the way I’ve been elevating my career the past few years it would have been a shame to go somewhere else.”

The fourth-year guard agreed to a four-year, $94 million contract extension.

Loaded with bonuses, the deal includes $86 million in base guaranteed money and the remainder based on performance-based incentives. The first stage of incentives Hield has to reach for the $8 million dollar bonus have been described as “exceedingly reachable” (finish in the top 10 in the league in three point percentage). Other season benchmarks could see the deal reach as much as $106 million over the course of the four years.

“I signed it so I’m happy. I’m satisfied. Ten years ago, me telling my friends and family I would make $86 million dollars they would think I was talking BS. I’m just grateful, and there’s room to make more,” Hield said. “But it’s not about the money. Money doesn’t make you happy all the time. People hear about the money and think it makes you happy. I’m just here to take care of my family and make sure they are secure. At the end of the day it’s all about being happy and comfortable in the right spot and I don’t think 10 or 15 million will make you more satisfied with life. I see the direction we are moving forward and I think this is the right place for me to be. I’m just happy, this is the city I want to be at and I love my teammates. It’s all about being comfortable and where you want to be at.”

Hield reflected on his journey from Eight Mile Rock to the pinnacle of the sport and explained why staying in Sacramento was a priority.

“That’s what played in my head making that decision as I signed, especially coming from the Bahamas, it’s not likely to happen. I’m extremely blessed and happy to be here for sure. The city is low key, my daughter is here now, I love playing with my teammates, the coaching staff and I see something good happening for us,” he said. “If I was really about the money I would have left. Like I said it’s all about being happy. I think the teammates we have we love each other, we love playing together, you might can nit pick this and nit pick that but who cares man.”

Sam Amick of The Athletic detailed some of the incentives in Hield’s contract. “His annual salary starts at $24.4 million, then declines to $22.4 million, $20.5 million and $18.6 million, with $2 million in reachable incentives each year. Year 1 reachable incentives: Play at least 70 games and shoot 85 per cent from the free-throw line ($500,000), average fewer than two turnovers per game ($500,000), lead the league in made 3-pointers ($500,000), post a defensive rating below 110.5 ($500,000).

Year 1 harder-to-reach incentives: Be named an All-Star ($500,000), help the Kings make the playoffs ($500,000), help the Kings make it to the second round of the playoffs (additional $250,000), help the Kings make it to the Western Conference Finals (additional $500,000), help the Kings make the NBA Finals (additional $1 million).

“Getting to the $94 million, I’m a hard worker, I told Vlade he should have guaranteed me, but I’m happy. Me shooting 45 per cent from three, 85 per cent from the line, limiting my turnovers, I think that’s something confidently I could do every night. Of course I want to be the type of player. It’s a good way, a good challenge to keep me honest,” Hield said.

In his third season, Hield averaged 20.7 points on 46 per cent from the floor, 43 per cent shooting from three-point range and 88 per cent shooting from the free throw line. He also averaged 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in just over 32 minutes per game.

Hield has now made more three-point field goals than any other player in NBA history through their first three seasons in the league with 602.

His season total of 278 three-pointers ranks No.7 all-time for a single season and moved him ahead of Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors with 276 in 2016.

Hield also set the Kings’ single-season three-point field goals record this season when he surpassed Peja Stojakovic’s mark of 240.

During his season of milestones, Hield also made his debut in the MTN Dew Three Point Shootout at NBA All-Star Weekend.

Hield was one of two players in the league last season to hit more than 250 three pointers while making over 40 per cent of his attempts. The other was Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

Had the sides not reached the deal, Hield could have become a restricted free agent next summer.

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, 4 years $85 million. “I’m so happy that we came to an agreement where both sides are happy and we’re still going the way we planned. We were ready to figure out what makes sense for both parties. “Without him it would be different. We are confident in what he brings to this team and with the young core,” Divac said.

“Buddy has made tremendous growth each season since joining the team and we are thrilled that he will remain a King as we continue to build an exciting future here in Sacramento,” said Divac.

“He has quickly established himself as an elite shooter in the league and is an important part of our young, dynamic core.”