De’Aaron Fox‘s nine-year tenure with the Sacramento Kings could be headed to an end this season, as the guard has previously declined an extension from the team and is reportedly unhappy about the direction the team has taken after regressing from their Playoff appearance in 2022-23.
With the franchise 14-19 and in danger of missing the Play-In Tournament, Eric Pincus is reporting that Fox could push for a trade before the February 6 trade deadline.
“Grumblings in NBA circles suggest Fox will push for a trade before the February 6 deadline and that the Kings will likely entertain all options.”
Pincus suggested a trade with the Houston Rockets, a scenario we’ve already discussed in the past, as they do look like the team that could maximize Fox’s ability while giving him a chance to contend.
The Kings ended a five-game losing streak with a 110-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks last night, who were missing six rotational players. De’Aaron Fox played excellently (33 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST) to ensure the Kings don’t lose this after falling to a 13-point first-quarter deficit.
The fact that the Kings beat the Mavs by just 10 and fell to a big deficit early showcases how the franchise isn’t looking competitive enough to survive in the West. The Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and San Antonio Spurs have seemingly surpassed the Kings so far this season, and there isn’t an obvious path to how the Kings can improve to jump those teams unless they go on an uncharacteristic win streak.
Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are also expected to be interested in Fox’s services.
Outside the Rockets, other teams that could look at Fox as an option are the Orlando Magic and the Spurs, with both teams greatly benefitting from the presence of an All-Star caliber guard like him.
Despite the Kings’ struggles, Fox is averaging 26.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists this season. His production has remained solid although the Kings as a team haven’t been able to discover any winning ways. It’s an offensively lopsided roster that has too many mouths to feed and not enough defenders to compete against the best teams in either conference.
There doesn’t seem to be a magic bullet trade available for the Kings, with reported pursuits of frontcourt players like Kyle Kuzma not bearing fruit just yet. They’re in a tricky hole that won’t be easy to climb out of, especially if Fox forces his way out.
If the team mounts a comeback over the next month and re-enters a Playoff position, Fox likely will be convinced to put off a potential trade until the summer. But if the Kings fall deeper into their current hole, it seems like they won’t be able to convince Fox and his agent Rich Paul to stay with the franchise.
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