Buddy Hield: 'If They Don't Want Me Here, I'll Find Somewhere Else'

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Kings star Buddy Hield opened up about his ongoing contract extension talks and said that he would like to remain with the team but would look for somewhere else to play if an agreement can not be reached.

"If it don't get done, me and my team will look somewhere else, probably look for another home," Hield told reporters after Wednesday night's 124–110 preseason victory over Melbourne United. "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."

The Kings reportedly offered Hield a four-year deal worth $90 million but he and his agent are reportedly seeking a deal in the $110 million range, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes. Monday marks the deadline for rookie-scale extensions and Hield is eligible for a four-year deal worth up to $130.7 million.

Hield has also been open about not accepting a max contract to try and attract other key players to Sacramento.

"My job is to go out there and kill every night so I can be that max player," Hield said. "And I feel like, especially a market like this, Sacramento, you guys have been covering basketball all your life. Name one big free agent that came to Sacramento."

If Hield and the Kings do not reach an agreement, he would be eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer.

Last season was Hield's best since entering the league in 2016. He averaged 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.