Sacramento Kings burning question No. 1: Trade Buddy Hield or keep him?
Buddy Hield is no doubt one of the premier shooters in the NBA as he ranked second behind only James Harden in 3-pointers made last season. Hield just recently agreed to a four-year extension with the Kings but has voiced publicly his frustration with his role coming off the bench Hield does have plenty of value if the Kings do decide to trade him as many teams around the league are currently looking for shooters, especially of Hield’s caliber.
If the Kings do decide to trade Hield, they could address one of their needs by adding a playmaker or a big man who can give them an edge on the boards as well as on the defensive end. Hield is a confident shooter who isn’t afraid to take the big shots, he’s great at coming off the screens for the catch and shoot and can score off the dribble as well.
He is also equipped with a dangerous step back and other moves in his arsenal which allows him to create space between him and his defender. Hield is only 27 years old and is entering his prime years and can score 20 points or more consistently. The downside about Hield’s game is that he often struggles with more athletic defenders as they make it difficult for him to get off shots against lengthy wings and quick aggressive guards.
He’s far from a playmaker as he often looks to try and create his own shot more than looking to create for his teammates. A player with a scorer’s mentality is better suited coming off the bench in the role of a 6th man and that may very well be the reason Walton put him there in the first place even though he still averaged starter’s minutes at 30.8 per game, good for 3rd on the team.
Now is the right time to part ways with Hield while his value is high. He will be a good contributing player on a title-contending team and I must agree that the Kings should move him as soon as possible.