Fox

[kevin44]

Keeping or trading Fox will decide the future of this team. If we keep him we're looking at close to 60 million per but they should be a playoff team for the next 5 seasons. If they trade Fox then forget the playoffs for a while. Rebuilding via the draft and free agency will be tough especially because big stars have no desire to come here unless we overpay them.

[KF10]

I have always liked Fox but I have a feeling that the Kings/Fox relationship might be coming to an end.

If the Kings trade Fox, I expect a hell of a return of assets.

At that point, trade everyone for assets and rebuild properly.

[BoogieTime]

I have always liked Fox but I have a feeling that the Kings/Fox relationship might be coming to an end.

If the Kings trade Fox, I expect a hell of a return of assets.

At that point, trade everyone for assets and rebuild properly.

There is a theory Fox isn’t contributing as much as to dictate direction after trading, but that theory also suggests we will be disappointed with the return of assets in his trade…

It’s a hard situation, but I don’t feel comfortable moving draft picks to improve the team around this core, so either Fox or Brown will probably be the first to go

The more the losing goes on, the more I think Brown will be the first to go though, so we will see if coaching makes a difference

[kevin44]

Fox and Sabonis have a chance to do some great things. Fox is a top 25 player and replacing that will be tough. If they do trade him I am sure will get screwed.

[blind prophet]

Seems to me it is inevitable that Fox won't be here beyond his contract.

Do I have faith Vivek will have a proper foundational rebuild?

Nope

What do I expect to happen?

We'll continue to try and win after moving on from Fox. It won't work. Sabonis gets moved in 2027-2028 then the rebuild partially starts.

[kevin44]

If they trade Fox I see this team heading to the lottery for years. We finally have something building and imo we are one player away. If Fox is traded it will show how badly run this team is. No one wanting to win ,just get paid, will sign here like in the last 15 years. No thanks. I am not that patient.

[OxAndFox]

If they trade Fox I see this team heading to the lottery for years. We finally have something building and imo we are one player away. If Fox is traded it will show how badly run this team is. No one wanting to win ,just get paid, will sign here like in the last 15 years. No thanks. I am not that patient.

How do you know what the trade is if Fox is traded?

[kevin44]

If you're happy with this roster and believe Monte can get a fair trade for Fox then there is nothing to worry about. Will see. Fox showed last night he can take over a game. If Fox is traded it shows how badly run this organization is. I am sure the owner doesn't want to pay close to 60 million. We're 15th in spending and awful.The owners are making a ton off TV and tickets etc. Vivek paid 535 million and they are worth almost 4 billion.

[OxAndFox]

If you're happy with this roster and believe Monte can get a fair trade for Fox then there is nothing to worry about. Will see. Fox showed last night he can take over a game. If Fox is traded it shows how badly run this organization is. I am sure the owner doesn't want to pay close to 60 million. We're 15th in spending and awful.The owners are making a ton off TV and tickets etc. Vivek paid 535 million and they are worth almost 4 billion.

Again. I'm going to ask you. How do you know what Fox will be traded for?

[LightTheBeam]

Here's where I'm at-
You can build a playoff team around sabonis, example is looking at Houston. They put 5 forwards who can defend, run and most can shoot on the floor. And still they know they are pretenders and need a Fox to go to the next level.

Kings arguably have 1 of those forwards on the team currently.

You can build a playoff team around Fox, but ideally you need a fast paced squad with a rim protector there. The grizzlies.

Which team is closer?

I think you can also build a winner around both, but you really need all defenders/shooters in between them, the knicks.

Right now we've done the least to put a fitting team around fox/sabonis. Huerter and derozan aren't needed. We are looking at Carter as some savior when he's another 6'2 guard who probably won't change much.

Fox/Monk
Keon
Murray
?? / lyles
Sabonis

Before I trade Fox I commit to maxing out picks and making this work. These players don't grow on trees. Pull a NY and find a way to get a bridges and OG in here. You have huerter, Carter, derozan + 3 picks you can move. Guys like Kuzma arent the answer, they compound the problem.

Wiggins, miles bridges, and herb Jones would be my top realistic targets. Overpay for herb to grow outside pelicans and become our stopper. Miles has off court issues but has the talent and fits a clear need. Wiggins back to 41% from 3 and has been a good defender. Let me see what that team looks like first. Once the fit is right and we aren't a laughing stock with size and wing players we will be a good team.

Fox - Herb - Keegan - Wiggins - sabonis
Monk - Keon - lyles

Suddenly you have 3 6'8 defenders who can closeout and switch defensively. You have guys who can run with fox, and cover sabonis weakness defensively.

[Skybox]

Here's where I'm at-
You can build a playoff team around sabonis, example is looking at Houston. They put 5 forwards who can defend, run and most can shoot on the floor. And still they know they are pretenders and need a Fox to go to the next level.

Kings arguably have 1 of those forwards on the team currently.

You can build a playoff team around Fox, but ideally you need a fast paced squad with a rim protector there. The grizzlies.

Which team is closer?

I think you can also build a winner around both, but you really need all defenders/shooters in between them, the knicks.

Right now we've done the least to put a fitting team around fox/sabonis. Huerter and derozan aren't needed. We are looking at Carter as some savior when he's another 6'2 guard who probably won't change much.

Fox/Monk
Keon
Murray
?? / lyles
Sabonis

Before I trade Fox I commit to maxing out picks and making this work. These players don't grow on trees. Pull a NY and find a way to get a bridges and OG in here. You have huerter, Carter, derozan + 3 picks you can move. Guys like Kuzma arent the answer, they compound the problem.

Wiggins, miles bridges, and herb Jones would be my top realistic targets. Overpay for herb to grow outside pelicans and become our stopper. Miles has off court issues but has the talent and fits a clear need. Wiggins back to 41% from 3 and has been a good defender. Let me see what that team looks like first. Once the fit is right and we aren't a laughing stock with size and wing players we will be a good team.

Fox - Herb - Keegan - Wiggins - sabonis
Monk - Keon - lyles

Suddenly you have 3 6'8 defenders who can closeout and switch defensively. You have guys who can run with fox, and cover sabonis weakness defensively.

“Suddenly” or magically?

[LightTheBeam]

Here's where I'm at-
You can build a playoff team around sabonis, example is looking at Houston. They put 5 forwards who can defend, run and most can shoot on the floor. And still they know they are pretenders and need a Fox to go to the next level.

Kings arguably have 1 of those forwards on the team currently.

You can build a playoff team around Fox, but ideally you need a fast paced squad with a rim protector there. The grizzlies.

Which team is closer?

I think you can also build a winner around both, but you really need all defenders/shooters in between them, the knicks.

Right now we've done the least to put a fitting team around fox/sabonis. Huerter and derozan aren't needed. We are looking at Carter as some savior when he's another 6'2 guard who probably won't change much.

Fox/Monk
Keon
Murray
?? / lyles
Sabonis

Before I trade Fox I commit to maxing out picks and making this work. These players don't grow on trees. Pull a NY and find a way to get a bridges and OG in here. You have huerter, Carter, derozan + 3 picks you can move. Guys like Kuzma arent the answer, they compound the problem.

Wiggins, miles bridges, and herb Jones would be my top realistic targets. Overpay for herb to grow outside pelicans and become our stopper. Miles has off court issues but has the talent and fits a clear need. Wiggins back to 41% from 3 and has been a good defender. Let me see what that team looks like first. Once the fit is right and we aren't a laughing stock with size and wing players we will be a good team.

Fox - Herb - Keegan - Wiggins - sabonis
Monk - Keon - lyles

Suddenly you have 3 6'8 defenders who can closeout and switch defensively. You have guys who can run with fox, and cover sabonis weakness defensively.

“Suddenly” or magically?

Ahh yes.. Lakers can add Milton + DFS for peanuts, Dallas adds PJ for a protected pick, etc etc.. but the Kings a historically bad franchise, our picks arent worth anything!

[BoogieTime]

Here's where I'm at-
You can build a playoff team around sabonis, example is looking at Houston. They put 5 forwards who can defend, run and most can shoot on the floor. And still they know they are pretenders and need a Fox to go to the next level.

Kings arguably have 1 of those forwards on the team currently.

You can build a playoff team around Fox, but ideally you need a fast paced squad with a rim protector there. The grizzlies.

Which team is closer?

I think you can also build a winner around both, but you really need all defenders/shooters in between them, the knicks.

Right now we've done the least to put a fitting team around fox/sabonis. Huerter and derozan aren't needed. We are looking at Carter as some savior when he's another 6'2 guard who probably won't change much.

Fox/Monk
Keon
Murray
?? / lyles
Sabonis

Before I trade Fox I commit to maxing out picks and making this work. These players don't grow on trees. Pull a NY and find a way to get a bridges and OG in here. You have huerter, Carter, derozan + 3 picks you can move. Guys like Kuzma arent the answer, they compound the problem.

Wiggins, miles bridges, and herb Jones would be my top realistic targets. Overpay for herb to grow outside pelicans and become our stopper. Miles has off court issues but has the talent and fits a clear need. Wiggins back to 41% from 3 and has been a good defender. Let me see what that team looks like first. Once the fit is right and we aren't a laughing stock with size and wing players we will be a good team.

Fox - Herb - Keegan - Wiggins - sabonis
Monk - Keon - lyles

Suddenly you have 3 6'8 defenders who can closeout and switch defensively. You have guys who can run with fox, and cover sabonis weakness defensively.

I hope not another 2nd goes out before whatever this is shows something worth building around.. Thankfully I haven't seen another role player rumor recently. I think the Demar swap and Huerter protected was something, and if the core had something to give it wouldnt just have crapped the bed on the easy part of the schedule with a respected coach

This seems about on court fit, but what about team culture?

the team is talented but doesn't play consistently to its potential.....

what does that line remind you of? whose personality is rubbing off on the culture?

[LightTheBeam]

Here's where I'm at-
You can build a playoff team around sabonis, example is looking at Houston. They put 5 forwards who can defend, run and most can shoot on the floor. And still they know they are pretenders and need a Fox to go to the next level.

Kings arguably have 1 of those forwards on the team currently.

You can build a playoff team around Fox, but ideally you need a fast paced squad with a rim protector there. The grizzlies.

Which team is closer?

I think you can also build a winner around both, but you really need all defenders/shooters in between them, the knicks.

Right now we've done the least to put a fitting team around fox/sabonis. Huerter and derozan aren't needed. We are looking at Carter as some savior when he's another 6'2 guard who probably won't change much.

Fox/Monk
Keon
Murray
?? / lyles
Sabonis

Before I trade Fox I commit to maxing out picks and making this work. These players don't grow on trees. Pull a NY and find a way to get a bridges and OG in here. You have huerter, Carter, derozan + 3 picks you can move. Guys like Kuzma arent the answer, they compound the problem.

Wiggins, miles bridges, and herb Jones would be my top realistic targets. Overpay for herb to grow outside pelicans and become our stopper. Miles has off court issues but has the talent and fits a clear need. Wiggins back to 41% from 3 and has been a good defender. Let me see what that team looks like first. Once the fit is right and we aren't a laughing stock with size and wing players we will be a good team.

Fox - Herb - Keegan - Wiggins - sabonis
Monk - Keon - lyles

Suddenly you have 3 6'8 defenders who can closeout and switch defensively. You have guys who can run with fox, and cover sabonis weakness defensively.

I hope not another 2nd goes out before whatever this is shows something worth building around.. Thankfully I haven't seen another role player rumor recently. I think the Demar swap and Huerter protected was something, and if the core had something to give it wouldnt just have crapped the bed on the easy part of the schedule with a respected coach

This seems about on court fit, but what about team culture?

the team is talented but doesn't play consistently to its potential.....

what does that line remind you of? whose personality is rubbing off on the culture?

I can just as easily say Sabonis who hasn't been great. With his stupid reaches, and dumb turnovers when he gets frustrated from being in foul trouble.

Open your eyes and stop being such a hater in 2025.

[OxAndFox]

I do agree with LTB. But I said it a couple of seasons ago when the Kings made the POs. The real need is a #1 option. That was the time to do it and then build the defenders around them.
Fox isn't a #1. Sabonis isn't a #1. We know the latter and despite all the talk about his lack of rim protection he is still a great player.
We need that #1 scorer. Instead Monte has kept on piling on the offensive players to fill the void. But it won't work.

If Monte is waiting until the off season to do it, then fine, you would essentially have Huerters expiring contract, DDR basically expiring contract plus future picks to play with to go out and secure the #1. Problem is it's not going to be enough for a younger #1 like an Ant so it would need to be a KD, PG13 etc.

[kevin44]

Are you happy OxandFox with the Fox trade? Fox will be playing with the best player in the league for years winning multiple championships. The Kings will be back in the lottery.

[OxAndFox]

Are you happy OxandFox with the Fox trade? Fox will be playing with the best player in the league for years winning multiple championships. The Kings will be back in the lottery.

No I'm not, on a number of different levels. I am going to switch the mode back to GM and not owner for this post, but I think we can see Vivek had his little paws all over this.
But let's open up a 10 point trade reaction.
#1 - Draft Capital. No decent draft picks. Hold the line for the Hawks '25 instead of the Charlotte 1st. You switch them and it's more palatable.
#2 - Buy High. You just went and traded for Zach Lavine at the highest point his trade value has been in forever, and most likely will ever be until he is expiring. Next up, Cam Johnson.
#3 - Address Needs. You didn't address any of the weaknesses this team has (this can be done over the next few days I understand so it's a little premature).
#4 - I'm Not The Worst. This wreaks of having a deal lined up, but the Kings were holding their nerve for better picks and then the Luka trade came along and they saw a ready made distraction to the the heat off them.
#5 - Bold Strategy. A team that has been healthy for the most part, but truly lacking depth is now hitching their wagon to a guy that is as injury prone a player the Kings have ever seen.
#6 - Paying The Freight. The Sacramento Kings paid the freight on Zach Lavine, not the Spurs. Another reason this is a brilliant trade for them (which makes me believe they knew Mr XYZ has given orders to Monte to get Lavine. If the Bulls wanted to just get off the Lavine money then the Kings should have been paid for doing so.
#7 - Reverse Big 3 Creator. You have now just allowed the Spurs, who if you're trying to stay competitive, is a direct competitor, an easy pathway to creating a big 3, which they will have done by this deadline or at the draft this coming off season. Great thinking.
#8 - Young Stud. At least get a young stud that can be the prize. Castle should have been leaving San Antonio (whether that was to the Kings or to someone else with value to the Kings), 100% guaranteed, otherwise Fox doesn't go there.
#9 - Keon Ellis. A Fox trade gave this franchise a great opportunity to progress forward with a great role playing SG that plays both ends and is a true difference maker. I'm still of the belief the Kings are holding this dude back deliberately.
#10 - Slow Down Dude, No Hurry. Worst case scenario, you hold off until the off season when everyone knows there would be more teams willing to not only nab Fox, but have better assets to give Sacramento.

[OxAndFox]

And I will say this. I don't believe Wemby and Fox are that good of a duo together as Fox really isn't a good playmaker. Maybe they peg Fox as the #3 and will go get #2 guy?
BUT, Fox hasn't played with a big guy that can hit the 3 either, so let's wait and see. He may just go back to Fox attacking the rim, and if that happens, look out.

[wco81]

What's the consensus, that the Kings failed to make Fox want to extend when his contract was up or that he was going to force his way out, preferably to San Antonio or some other TX team?

They got some draft assets back but even if one of them turns into another all-NBA player like Fox was (?), do the Kings have to figure out whether the next face of the franchise will stay for the entirety of his career?

Sabonis obviously committed to stay and some players like Monk re-upped while DDR signed on.

Does the team have to figure out how to make the market more attractive -- to a certain extent, any market other than LA and maybe Miami may not have enough off-court appeal -- or winning would solve everything?

[kevin44]

Losing a quality two way player like Fox makes me sick. The Spurs gave up nothing and we got a player nobody wanted. In two years Lavine is going to want the same contact Fox will get. Are they going to pay him? Will see how Fox and Wemby play together but I have to believe they will thrive and win. The Spurs are one of the best run organizations we are not Thank God they extend Sabonis but how long will he be here? At least were not Dallas, that might be the worst trade in NBA history.