Buddy Hield and the Sacramento Kings was always going to be a weird marriage. When the Kings traded DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017, the NBA world basically laughed. "They gave up Boogie for that?" was the vibe. Vivek Ranadivé, the Kings owner, famously thought Hield had "Steph Curry potential."
He wasn't Steph. But man, for a second there, he was pretty close to being the best thing to happen to Sacramento in a decade.
The relationship didn't just end; it imploded. It was a messy, public divorce filled with "trust issues," Instagram likes on trade rumors, and a $94 million contract that felt like a golden handcuff for both sides. If you look at the box scores, Hield is one of the greatest shooters to ever wear a Kings jersey. If you ask a fan at the Golden 1 Center, they might have a slightly different—and much louder—opinion.
The Peak: When Buddy Hield Was the King of Sacramento
There was a time when Buddy Hield couldn't miss. Seriously.
In the 2018-19 season, Buddy was absolute lightning. He averaged 20.7 points per game and shot a blistering 42.7% from deep. That year, he didn't just play well; he started breaking things. He shattered Peja Stojaković’s franchise record for three-pointers in a single season, knocking down 245 triples.
He was also the fastest player in NBA history to reach 1,000 career three-pointers at the time (taking only 350 games).
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The Kings were fun again. Under Dave Joerger, they played at a breakneck pace that suited Buddy perfectly. He was the trailer on the fast break, the guy who would pull up from 30 feet and make you think, maybe Vivek was right? He won the 2020 NBA Three-Point Contest while representing Sacramento, snatching the trophy in a dramatic final round against Devin Booker.
The $94 Million Breaking Point
Money changes things. In late 2019, contract negotiations turned into a public circus. Hield was vocal. He told reporters that if the Kings didn't "respect" him with a big offer, he'd look for a new home. He even called out Sacramento’s ability to attract free agents.
"Name one big free agent who came to Sacramento," he famously quipped.
He eventually got his bag: a four-year extension worth a base of $86 million that could reach $94 million with incentives. But as soon as the ink dried, the vibes shifted.
Luke Walton replaced Joerger, and suddenly, Buddy wasn't the focal point. He was moved to the bench in favor of Bogdan Bogdanović.
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Hield didn't take it well. There were reports he stopped answering Walton's phone calls. The efficiency started to dip. The "irrational confidence" that made him great started to look like "bad shot selection" that lost games. By the time the 2020-21 season rolled around, it felt like everyone was just waiting for the trade call.
The Trade That Saved (and Hurt) Both Sides
On February 8, 2022, the blockbuster finally happened. The Sacramento Kings sent Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, and Tristan Thompson to the Indiana Pacers. In return, they got Domantas Sabonis.
Fans were devastated—not because of Buddy, but because of Haliburton.
But for the Sacramento Kings, Buddy Hield leaving was a necessary exorcism. The team needed to move on from the drama of a high-priced shooter who didn't want to be there. Meanwhile, Buddy went to Indiana and immediately started torching the nets again, proving he wasn't "washed," just unhappy.
The statistical legacy he left in Sacramento is actually insane:
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- Franchise leader in three-pointers made in a single season (245).
- First-ever NBA player to hit 600 threes in his first three seasons.
- Career 40% shooter from deep across his five years in the city.
Why Fans Still Boo
It’s the "me-first" perception. Kings fans are notoriously loyal to anyone who wants to be in Sacramento. When Hield hinted that the city wasn't good enough or that he'd rather be in Philly or LA, the bridge didn't just burn; it evaporated.
The turnovers didn't help either. Buddy had a knack for trying to dribble through three defenders in the clutch, leading to soul-crushing giveaways. For a fanbase that had suffered through a 16-year playoff drought, those mistakes felt personal.
Real Talk: Was He a Success?
Honestly, it depends on what you value.
- The Numbers: Elite. One of the best pure shooters in the history of the game.
- The Impact: Complicated. He helped modernize the Kings' offense but often stalled their defensive identity.
- The Value: High. He was the centerpiece of the trade that brought in Sabonis, who eventually helped break the playoff drought.
How to Value Buddy’s Legacy Today
If you’re a Kings fan or just a basketball junkie looking back at this era, you have to separate the player from the personality.
- Acknowledge the shooting gravity. The space Hield created for De'Aaron Fox to develop cannot be overstated. Teams couldn't leave Buddy, which opened the lane for Fox to become an All-Star.
- Recognize the trade value. Without Hield’s massive (but tradable) contract, the Sabonis deal likely doesn't happen. His 14.4 points in his final half-season in Sacramento kept his value high enough to be a "positive" asset.
- Learn the "Fit" Lesson. Hield is a perfect example of a player who needs a specific system. He isn't a primary creator. When Sacramento asked him to be more than a "3-and-D" guy (minus the D), the wheels came off.
If you’re still holding a grudge, just remember: Buddy Hield's departure was the final domino that led to "The Beam." He was a vital part of the journey, even if he wasn't there for the destination.
To really understand the current Kings' success, you have to look at the Buddy Hield era as the messy, high-scoring transition period that eventually forced the front office to get serious about building a balanced roster. It wasn't always pretty, but it was never boring.
Next Step for Fans: Check out Buddy’s current shooting splits with the Warriors—it’s a stark reminder that in the right system, his "Steph-lite" potential still flashes, even if it never fully materialized in the purple and white.