Hoops Habit
Fansided

Top 3 Sacramento Kings players off to a hot start this season

By Holden Walter-Warner

Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Sacramento Kings
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 30: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after hitting a three pointer in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 30, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Top 3 Sacramento Kings players off to a hot start this season: 3. Buddy Hield

A bench role appears to suit the sharpshooter just fine. In the early going, Buddy Hield is putting up better numbers than last year, despite not taking the court at the beginning of a majority of games so far.

In 19 games, Hield is averaging 17.1 points per game, a slight increase from the 16.6 points per game he averaged as a full-time starter in 2020-21. He is improving on his scoring numbers despite a decline in playing time to the tune of nearly six minutes per contest.

Most of Hield’s numbers are within a close margin of last season’s numbers, with the exception of his assist totals, which are down more noticeably. Hield is averaging just 2.0 assists per game, his lowest mark in five years.

As per usual, Hield’s scoring comes courtesy of a seemingly limitless green light from beyond the arc. Hield has ranked second in the NBA in each of the last two seasons in three-point field goal attempts and ranks there once again this season. He’s hitting 39.9 percent of his threes, which would be his best percentage since 2018-19.

Intriguingly, Hield ranks 17th in the league in offensive box plus/minus. It would be the first time he ever finishes in the top 20 in the NBA in the statistic if he keeps it up. Not sure it makes up for his minus-2.2 defensive box plus/minus, though.

Hield may be a liability on defense, but he can be one of the most exciting players on the West Coast if he keeps up his scorching start on offense.

Home/Sacramento Kings