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| Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press |
Hield has grown ‘displeased' with his sixth man role, after Kings coach, Luke Walton benched him in favor of Bogdan Bogdanović in the lineup on January 24.
"If Hield remains displeased with his role, a source with knowledge of his thinking said he might request a trade. He believes he is a starter in the NBA,” writes The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Despite improved numbers – shooting 52.6%, averaging a team-high 22.2 points, including a career-best 43 points off the bench. While Hield believes he's a starter in the league, his relationship with Walton has been contentious often being critical of the first-year Kings coach.
Over the offseason, hopeful the Kings (21-33) would build a stronger roster, Hield signed a (4-year, $94M) less than maximum player extension.
This season he's grown wary, questioning the coaching after a December loss.
“Seems like we’re all over the place — coaches and everybody,” Hield said, via Yahoo! “Trust issues going on, I guess. Guys stop believing in players. It is what it is. They have who they have playing out there and I just have to be supportive.”
Hield's criticism of Walton has been “problematic,” says Vlade Divac, Kings' general manager.
The fourth-year veteran is averaging 20.4 points, 3.2 assistants, and 43.1% in 33:40 minutes this season.
Hield, alongside, Trae Young will participate in the league's 3-pt contest part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Saturday.
