Buddy Hield Says 'I'd Bet My House' on Kings Making Playoffs

Buddy Hield believes the Sacramento Kings will reach the playoffs this season. So much so, in fact, that he'd even wager the roof over his head on it.

"Very confident. I'd bet my house on it," Hield told reporters Wednesday, per ESPN.com. "I make a lot of money to buy the next one."

Hield wouldn't bet everything, however.

"You can't bet your dogs," he said. "I'm just confident. If I don't say it, [reporters] will say, 'He's not confident enough.' That's how I was raised. I trust in God, and hopefully, he favors us."

The Kings are currently 30-27, which puts them one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers (32-27) for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers (28-29) and Minnesota Timberwolves (27-30) also remain in the running.

If the Kings do reach the postseason, Hield will be a major reason why. The 26-year-old wing is having a career year, averaging 20.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 44.9 percent from three.

He and De'Aaron Fox give Sacramento one of the NBA's best young backcourts. That duo paired with Marvin Bagley III, Harrison Barnes, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Harry Giles III has helped propel an up-and-coming Sacramento roster into the playoff mix. 

Another positive sign for the Kings? The core has solid chemistry.

"We're competing," head coach Dave Joerger said. "We like each other. They get along great."

But Hield knows the competition for a playoff berth will be intense.

"That's the fun thing about the NBA, man—no easy games," he said. "And everybody knows how dangerous we can be. I like our chances, man."

Indeed, Sacramento's first five games after the NBA All-Star break are no joke. They face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks and a crucial matchup against the Clippers. 

It's been more than a decade since the Kings were relevant after the All-Star break. Hield and the Kings' young players now have the chance to prove Sacramento has taken a real step forward.