The Sacramento Kings have managed to catch their stride since promoting Doug Christie. After going 13-18 with Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year, they’re 11-4 under the first year head coach. However, that success hasn’t prevented them from taking calls on All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox.
Kings Willing To Trade All-Star De’Aaron Fox
According to ESPN senior insider Shams Charania, the Kings “are expected to open up talks to potentially deal” the 27-year-old “ahead of the Feb. 6 trade 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
Charania adds that the Los Angeles Lakers, who are often linked to All-Star-caliber players, aren’t one of Fox’s preferred destinations. That doesn’t mean that the Lakers won’t at least call the Kings up. Though there’s been plenty of focus on them adding a center via trade, they could also use a backcourt upgrade.
“I’m told the Lakers are not part of that destination of choice for De’Aaron Fox potentially.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2025
However, Fox “has continued to signal a lack of interest in extending” his contract with the Kings, per The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Given his desire to play for a team that he deems capable of winning a championship, it’s hard to imagine he can visualize himself with the L.A. long-term.
Can confirm that the Kings appear open to listening to De’Aaron Fox offers heading into the Feb. 6 deadline. League source says Fox, who has continued to signal a lack of interest in extending, has a destination in mind. More to come, at @TheAthletic
ESPN first.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 28, 2025
Lakers superstar LeBron James, still the franchise’s driving force, turned 40 years old a month ago. Fellow franchise cornerstone Anthony Davis, who turns 32 years old in March, has been dealing with plantar fasciitis all season. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, L.A.’s best players not named James or Davis, would likely have to be included in a trade for Fox.
Taking His Talents (Back) To Texas
The Houston Rockets have been mentioned as a possible destination, in part because Fox was raised in Texas. The age and limitations of players like Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green –whose grew up a couple of hours outside of Sacramento –make their potential interest even more feasible. Yet, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein reports that the Rockets prefer to “see how far” their current roster can go.
Of note, Houston is 31-14, second in the West.
There will be inevitable trade connections made between the Rockets and De’Aaron Fox, but league sources tell @TheSteinLine that Houston’s in-season intentions remain unchanged: Let this current group see how far it can go.
More from NBA Trade Season: https://t.co/LFQEa4zNFM https://t.co/08aiCKbGfG
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 28, 2025
Meanwhile, The Kings Beat insider James Ham reports that Fox’s “preferred landing spot” is the San Antonio Spurs.
According to multiple sources, if De’Aaron Fox leaves the Kings via trade, his preferred landing spot is the San Antonio Spurs. It could be an interesting couple of days in Sacramento.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) January 28, 2025
This move allows Fox to pair up with Victor Wembanyama, who’s seen as the future face of the NBA. Like the Kings, the Spurs may not win a championship in the immediate future. However, it’s players of Wembanyama’s caliber that usually lead teams to a title.
