Report: Disgruntled Hield won't answer Walton's calls

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield's relationship with Luke Walton is apparently deteriorating.

Hield will no longer answer calls from his head coach, The Athletic's Jason Jones reports.

The 27-year-old's disapproval of Walton dates back to late last year when Hield publicly shared how he felt the team's coaches didn't trust him in late-game situations.

"It seems like we're all over the place. Coaches and everybody, trust issues going on, I guess," Hield said after a December 26 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. "They stop believing in players. It is what it is."

Hield signed a four-year, $86-million contract extension with the Kings in October 2019. As the 2019-20 season progressed, Hield grew increasingly frustrated with Walton after the coach took him out of the starting lineup.

The Oklahoma product averaged 19.2 points on 39.4% shooting from 3-point range in 72 games this season.