The Sacramento Kings Are Shopping De’Aaron Fox: Top 3 Landing Spots
The Sacramento Kings Are Making NBA Headlines, Willing to Shop Around Star Guard De’Aaron Fox
The De’Aaron Fox Market Is Open for Business (Apparently)
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Sacramento Kings are willing to make a move that could cause shockwaves around the league. According to various NBA news insiders, the Kings, currently riding 10th in the Western Conference standings, are willing to start shopping around all-star guard De’Aaron Fox before the February 6 deadline.
JUST IN: The Sacramento Kings are expected to open up talks to potentially deal All-Star De’Aaron Fox ahead of Feb. 6 trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. There will be plenty of suitors, but it’s believed that Fox has a target destination in mind ahead of 2026 free agency. pic.twitter.com/Oh3fXgZjm3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2025
Following Fox’s decision not to sign a contract extension with Sacramento last summer, a growing frustration has started to show between the team and its starting guard, leading to speculations and NBA rumors flourishing on potential teams and trade packages the Kings could look into moving forward.
But is putting a player like Fox out in the market, who’s been a cornerstone in the team’s rebuild and playoff contention aspirations, the best move for Sacramento?
DeAaron Fox has been fantastic for Sacramento.
His issues don’t come from the W/L column right now.
He was made the face of the team.
Since then:
– Has had the simple request of trading for a complimentary win now wing for a good 5 years.
– Stay consistent with his guy Mike… pic.twitter.com/46cI8lrax8
— WOJ ARTEST🇦🇺 (@NbaWoody) January 29, 2025
With fans going from left to right between keeping up with NBA games and adjacent storylines like Jimmy Butler’s drama with Miami, we could be in for a shocker coming from King’s Land.
Fox Has One Desired Destiny in Mind
Given the recent NBA trades gossip regarding Fox, it didn’t even take a hot minute before the name of a potential top suitor for Sacramento’s guard popped up: the San Antonio Spurs.
.@ShamsCharania with the latest on De’Aaron Fox:
– The Spurs are indeed Fox’s preferred trade destination.
– Fox would be open to signing a new long-term contract with San Antonio.
– Sacramento is now open to trading Fox due to his continued reluctance to commit long-term. pic.twitter.com/EmvgOjazNZ
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 29, 2025
San Antonio has been keen on building a title-winning franchise around generational star and former 2023 No.1 NBA draft pick Victor Wembanyama. At the start of the season, I noted how San Antonio’s move to bring in future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul to partner with Wemby could clearly show the Spurs’ playoff and title-contending plans.
Looking at the Spurs’ run this season (20-23 record), it’s safe to say that while CP3 has helped a bit in putting the team up to speed, a helping hand from a player like Fox could automatically bump up the team’s betting odds.
De’Aaron Fox reportedly prefers to join Victor Wembanyama on the Spurs, via @James_HamNBA
As a upcoming free agent in 2026, Fox could “force” his way to San Antonio 😳
(h/t @TheDunkCentral) pic.twitter.com/4GHQsSYgOD
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 28, 2025
Simply put, if you take Fox’s desire to be part of a true championship contender, but not necessarily a “win-now” franchise, a team where he can be part of a newly formed winning culture and mix it with Wembanyama’s talents, Paul’s veteran leadership and San Antonio’s promising core of young players you could have a winning formula in hand.
Besides San Antonio, Which Other Teams Could Trade for Fox?
Moving the Spurs to the side for a second, Sacramento’s potential move to trade Fox has also garnered interest from other teams around the league.
First and foremost, if you happen to have the Los Angeles Lakers atop your NBA picks and predictions for teams that could land Fox, sorry to say this, but that deal is not happening.
Even with Fox having Rich Paul (LeBron James’ BFF) as his agent, the Kings star has already clarified that he is not interested in joining the Lakers in any way.
Lakers are NOT a “destination of choice” for De’Aaron Fox, per @ShamsCharania 😬 pic.twitter.com/uXIZdL9VZV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 28, 2025
Next on the list is the Brooklyn Nets. From a trade package perspective, if it comes down to draft capital to use in a potential deal with Sacramento, Brooklyn’s 15 future first-round draft picks, including 12 that are tradeable and four that can be used in the upcoming draft, automatically make them an ideal trade partner.
But if Fox wants to join a team with true title potential, is there any real value in going to Brooklyn?
The Brooklyn Nets are among the teams that view De’Aaron Fox as a trade target and have been monitoring the Fox situation. #Netsworld
Per @IanBegley pic.twitter.com/TRi47Q0bTa
— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) January 28, 2025
Last but not least, the Heat. Putting Butler’s ordeal aside, if Fox wants in on joining a team with true potential to fight for a title in the near future, Miami could be the place to be. As soon as the Jimmy Butler trade is finalized (because it has to happen), Miami could look into using the assets received from the said deal to try and lure Fox to the 305, where he would once again pair up with a former college teammate from his time with the Kentucky Wildcats Bam Adebayo.
Keep an eye on the Heat getting involved in trade talks for De’Aaron Fox, folding two deals into one for a mega blockbuster trade.
Miami has coveted a younger star who fits on Bam Adebayo’s timeline.
The Heat could flip assets they receive for Jimmy Butler to the Kings for Fox. pic.twitter.com/3UA0ouepqQ
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 29, 2025
I’m not going to lie; a Bam/Fox reunion in Miami could lead to some fun Heat basketball, just like back in Kentucky.
