Buddy Hield was the Kings’ most valuable player before becoming Klay Thompson’s successor with the Warriors.

Hield, who was selected No. 6 overall by the Pelicans in the 2016 NBA Draft, spent six seasons with Sacramento after New Orleans traded him there during the 2016-17 All-Star break in exchange for legendary center DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins ​​​had exchanged.

Being a king was something Hield valued. Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson on “Dubs Talk,” the 31-year-old reflected on his time in Sacramento.

“Sacramento has been so great to me,” Hield told Johnson. “Even though we didn’t win, I feel like just being around these guys, playing and learning every single day, we learned how to win. Even though we didn’t win, we learned how to win and how hard it is to win in the NBA.”

In 385 games with the Kings, Hield posted a 156-229 record and failed to reach the NBA playoffs. For the sniper, however, every night counted.

Hield averaged 16.9 points and made 40.2 percent of his 3-point shots. He also padded his wallet by being mentored by former Kings icons Peja Stojaković and Vlade Divac, as well as owner Vivek Ranadivé.

“I’m glad I was able to learn something as a young man in Sacramento,” Hield said. “And Sacramento helped me put more money in my pocket. I can never forget that. Vlade and Vivek, they took me as their little son. I learned from them and Peja and the coaching staff around me and they really helped me and made me the man I am today.”

Hield made his first millions on a typical rookie deal – triggered by the Pelicans’ draft selection – but made big money when he signed a four-year deal with the Kings in October 2019. Annual contract worth $85 million.

And of course, working with Stojaković, Divac and Ranadivé, Hield learned a lot that his college at Oklahoma could never teach him.

It worked out well for Hield to play for Golden State in the 2024-25 NBA season after playing with Sacramento, among others. With the Warriors, who are known in the championship, he averages 15.5 points on 40.1 percent 3-point shooting and fits well with superstar Steph Curry.

But Hield still thinks about his old kings. In particular, he is happy that Sacramento – the franchise and the city – made the playoffs in the 2022-23 season.

“I was just so happy that Sacramento made it through the 16 years that we went through, even though I was there for four or five years too,” Hield told Johnson. “I knew how much that hurt.” the fans. I was happy to see that they were able to overcome this phase.

“It’s very hard for a sports franchise to have that longevity without the postseason. Every time I was there I tried to make it happen. it didn’t happen. It sucks. But I’m so glad they got it.”

The Kings endured a 16-year playoff drought before, during and after Hield’s tenure with the franchise. And ironically, it was Hield’s new team — and a 50-man Curry team — that ended that Sacramento team’s season in a seven-game series in the first round.

Northern California meant a lot to Hield, who is from the Bahamas.

Sacramento, in particular, will always be Hield’s first true home and remains the city he has played for most professionally.

The Kings really helped shape the Warrior in their first year.

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