Kings trade Fox to Spurs, get LaVine

[Ssj16]

Unless they get an offer they can’t refuse, or Fox tells them he wants out, entering another rebuild would be so dumb for a small-market team like the Kings. Small-market teams like Sacramento will never land players like De’Aaron Fox in free agency, so now that they have one and are finally competitive after decades of living in the lottery, they should trade him.

Not every NBA market and location has realistic odds to win the NBA championship. It’s really hard and takes some good fortune to build championship contenders in markets like Sacramento.

Problem is that signing guys like Fox to a huge Superman or 3rd contract at $60m+ is how you stay bad for a long time. You can’t build a good team around 2nd tier guys making top tier money.

I get it, but Fox only gets a Supermax extension by making All-NBA. He would have to play really well to earn it.

Teams in markets like Sacramento don’t have the same resources that teams like the Knicks and Lakers do. Before the 2022-2023 season, the Kings last made the playoffs in the 2005-2006 season. That’s 17 years of walking in the wilderness hoping for lottery luck. Also, with the new draft rules, Sacramento wouldn’t even have great odds of getting a top-4 pick. The Detroit Pistons have recently experienced bad lottery luck first hand with the new odds.

If a team blows Sacramento away or Fox tells their front office he wants out, then sure I can see them trading him. Otherwise, I expect them to hold on to him as long as possible.

Edit: It appears Fox has told the Kings front office he doesn’t plan on staying past the 2026 season.

That being said, teams like OKC, Memphis, San Antonio, Orlando show that if you build your team shrewdly, you still have a chance to be competitive, even in a small market.

[Magic_Johnny12]

So it’s not Houston

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[Magic_Johnny12]

I just don’t understand the need for Fox on the SA front, especially considering you have Castle right in front of your face. I love teams getting better now than later when they have proven talent (wish Orlando was more like this), but this seems a little premature to me.

[Magic_Johnny12]

I wonder what teams are positioned to trade for him now as a rental and are okay with possible losing him in 2026.

Not many teams come to mind.

[UcanUwill]

Haven't followed the Kings super closely this year, but this seems a bit out of left field, no?

Its not, In late December or maybe this month, we had that report on Fox asking front office - whats up,, I spent 7 or so years here, I have been in Play offs once.

This rumor was already explored, this is not even news really, just new smoke.

[phanman]

I just don’t understand the need for Fox on the SA front, especially considering you have Castle right in front of your face. I love teams getting better now than later when they have proven talent (wish Orlando was more like this), but this seems a little premature to me.

I would guess it's because Wemby is ready to compete now and Castle won't be ready for a few years. CP3 is turning 40 soon and as good as he has been, he simply isn't good enough.

I have the same questions for Houston. I have no idea why they would want to bring in Fox with his upcoming extension. Sure he is an upgrade over Freddy, but all that means is your taking the ball out of Jalen, Amen and Sengun's hands. Fox's 3pt shot has regressed this season and it's not like he's ever been a superb defender either. Honestly, I would rather just gamble on bringing in Jimmy over Fox.

[davidv2001]

I just don’t understand the need for Fox on the SA front, especially considering you have Castle right in front of your face. I love teams getting better now than later when they have proven talent (wish Orlando was more like this), but this seems a little premature to me.

I would guess it's because Wemby is ready to compete now and Castle won't be ready for a few years. CP3 is turning 40 soon and as he has been, he simply isn't good enough.

I have the same questions for Houston. I have no idea why they would want to bring in Fox with his upcoming extension. Sure he is an upgrade over Freddy, but all that means is your taking the ball out of Jalen, Amen and Sengun's hands. Fox's 3pt shot has regressed this season and it's not like he's ever been a superb defender either. Honestly, I would rather just gamble on bringing in Jimmy over Fox.

Fox is better at what Jalen Green provides the Rockets. Also, the Rockets already lack perimeter shooting. Jimmy Butler is not a good fit for them. Cam Johnson, on the other hand, is.

[JB2]

Klutch really knows how to keep the basketball world on it's toes

[JustBuzzin]

Wemby/Fox my goodness the league is about to be fugged!

[KingFox]

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Fox will either sign with Sac or the Spurs. Thats it.

[zimpy27]

Spurs look like they will get Fox soon, I think it's smart for the Kings to get some value for him.

[zimpy27]

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Fox will either sign with Sac or the Spurs. Thats it.

Just a whole lot of nothing.

Like when your wife tells you she only wants to be with you or one other man

[ClutchCity713]

Rockets situation better than the Spurs and he wants to go there? Ok man.

[ClutchCity713]

Rockets and Spurs are both strong possibilities. He played high school ball in Houston, FWIW.

Rockets and Sprs have the assets and motivation to get a player like Fox. Both are rising teams with a ton of assets. I like him more in San Antonio, i would wait to see what the rockets have with Amen before picking a player like Fox.

Amen would still be starting at a forward spot if the Rockets decide to bring in Fox. Either VanVleet or Jalen Green would be part of the trade.

As a Rockets’ fan, I do agree the Spurs have more motivation to deal because they need a Wemby complement. But, that also has me hoping Stone gets involved. I don’t want Fox joining Wemby in San Antonio.

I was hoping the Rockets revisit the trade talks in the offseason, but they might have to do it to avoid him going to the Spurs. Both the Mavs and Spurs have their star and we dont. You cant allow your in state rivals to get better at all cost.

[sackings916]

Rockets situation better than the Spurs and he wants to go there? Ok man.

Wemby and the Spurs will be in the spotlight for the next decade or more.

[phanman]

I just don’t understand the need for Fox on the SA front, especially considering you have Castle right in front of your face. I love teams getting better now than later when they have proven talent (wish Orlando was more like this), but this seems a little premature to me.

I would guess it's because Wemby is ready to compete now and Castle won't be ready for a few years. CP3 is turning 40 soon and as he has been, he simply isn't good enough.

I have the same questions for Houston. I have no idea why they would want to bring in Fox with his upcoming extension. Sure he is an upgrade over Freddy, but all that means is your taking the ball out of Jalen, Amen and Sengun's hands. Fox's 3pt shot has regressed this season and it's not like he's ever been a superb defender either. Honestly, I would rather just gamble on bringing in Jimmy over Fox.

Fox is better at what Jalen Green provides the Rockets. Also, the Rockets already lack perimeter shooting. Jimmy Butler is not a good fit for them. Cam Johnson, on the other hand, is.

Sure Fox is better than Green now but he's also 5 years older. There is still plenty of upside for Jalen whose really picked up his play since December: 22.6pts, 3.8reb, 3ast, 0.9stl on 46/40/85 in 33.4mpg
- most notably is that 3pt shot where is averaging 7.9 attempts

I only brought up Jimmy in the scenario that they wanted to make a win-now move. I'd stand pat if I was Houston, but I disagree on him not fitting in there. In regards to Cam Johnson, he has a prototypical modern NBA game for a wing with a great contract, he fits everywhere

[Bornstellar]

Wow. I hadn't check my phone for a couple hours and came back to see this

Crazy that King's beat reporter is saying Fox's preferred destination is SA. Not used to anyone wanting to play here but I guess it's the Wemby effect guess Fox realizes playing next to Victor might make it easier for him to make an all-NBA team

If I'm SA, everyone is available sans Wemby. I'd prefer to keep Castle and Sochan but Fox is a damn good player and seems he would be suited as a Robin and would be a great compliment for Wemby. So many games we could have won this season already if Spurs had just one other legit scoring option besides Victor

Get it done Brian!!!

[Castle Black]

Zach Collins for De'Aaron Fox straight up. Who says no?

[KingFox]

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[Castle Black]

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