3 Ways That The Buddy Hield Situation Hurts The Kings

Whether or not the Sacramento Kings come to a contract agreement with Buddy Hield, the damage to the franchise’s future has already been done.

The saga that is the Buddy Hield contract negotiation has taken a toll on all parties involved, and the Sacramento Kings might be adversely affected whether they re-sign the sharp-shooting 26-year-old or not.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Hield is eligible for his rookie-contract extension, which must be signed by Monday, October 21st. If the Kings and Hield can not come to an agreement, he will enter the season on the final year of his deal, becoming a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

The negotiations have been made very public, due mostly to Hield’s insistence on laying out his frustration in front of the media. He has given quotes that highlight his discontent, which has rubbed some people the wrong way. We’re just hoping that his teammates are not a part of that group.

For a team that has spent the last decade as perennial losers, any missteps at this point can become overly damaging. The Kings have worked hard to rid themselves of their negative reputation over the last year, and fans and the national media alike are excited about the franchise for the first time in a long time. Sacramento has built a solid foundation through savvy trades and smart drafting, but now it is time to do right by the players and sign one of their building blocks to a long-term extension.

So how exactly could the Hield situation negatively affect the franchise, both this season and in the future?