Definitely shocked by the rhetoric. Buddy never really showed signs of being a grumbler. Especially given some circumstances in the Joerger era where Buddy didn’t appear to be getting a fair shake. Atleast in my view. He always kept professional.
That said, I can see why Buddy would expect more. He came into this league when guys like Otto Porter or Harrison Barnes for that matter were getting max second contracts for not comparable production to what Buddy had last season. More on promise. However, those contracts came on the open market in an era of reckless spending that is coming to a close. Teams are coming back down to earth. The stars are demanding more of a share of the extended cap, borderline all stars aren’t getting the max anymore, and the new mid level has been established. 4/90 makes sense...If Buddy thinks he worth more, he can always wait. He can prove he’s worth it this season and they’ll have no choice. As of now, the Kings are operating on the belief that De’Aaron Fox is the player that will demand the max and that other foundational players may command big salaries a couple of years down the road. I don’t think the Kings have any ambition to bring in a huge free agent.
Buddy did himself no favors, especially how he rubbed in the fact that Sacramento isn’t a favorable destination for free agents. We know that. We don’t like being reminded by players for purpose of leverage. Like a market like Sacramento should be especially grateful to have Buddy under club control.
That said, I can see why Buddy would expect more. He came into this league when guys like Otto Porter or Harrison Barnes for that matter were getting max second contracts for not comparable production to what Buddy had last season. More on promise. However, those contracts came on the open market in an era of reckless spending that is coming to a close. Teams are coming back down to earth. The stars are demanding more of a share of the extended cap, borderline all stars aren’t getting the max anymore, and the new mid level has been established. 4/90 makes sense...If Buddy thinks he worth more, he can always wait. He can prove he’s worth it this season and they’ll have no choice. As of now, the Kings are operating on the belief that De’Aaron Fox is the player that will demand the max and that other foundational players may command big salaries a couple of years down the road. I don’t think the Kings have any ambition to bring in a huge free agent.
Buddy did himself no favors, especially how he rubbed in the fact that Sacramento isn’t a favorable destination for free agents. We know that. We don’t like being reminded by players for purpose of leverage. Like a market like Sacramento should be especially grateful to have Buddy under club control.