In the event that the San Antonio Spurs can actually complete a trade for Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, what might the deal look like?
What Will Spurs Offer For Kings’ De’Aaron Fox?
It’s already been made plain by ESPN senior insider Shams Charania that the Kings want win-now players and draft compensation. The Spurs have a bevy of first-round picks, but shouldn’t have to give up more than three or four for a player they already believe will be heading there. Looking at the roster, the most obvious player to include in the trade would be Chris Paul.
Chris Paul To Kings
Paul’s veteran presence has been invaluable in San Antonio and Victor Wembanyama in particular. However, the 39-year-old is supposed to be on a title-contender, not playoff hopeful. Furthermore, when Fox arrives, it may not be feasible to start both of them in backcourt. This could become problematic considering how much Paul disliked his season with the Golden State Warriors, who brought him off the bench.
In Sacramento, Paul would have a stronger chance of starting, even with perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk –a smaller shooting guard –now in the first unit. Though much of their playmaking is handled by Domantas Sabonis, Paul’s a savvy floor general whose mentality complements Monk’s. To that point, Monk is a scoring-minded player, as is All-Star swingman DeMar DeRozan. All of which makes Paul’s precision from beyond the arc pretty useful, as he can still play off of them.
No Need To Overpay
Because the Kings traded Harrison Barnes in the offseason, they can’t require him. Not this season at least. Yet, San Antonio doesn’t have another seasoned veteran outside of Paul and Barnes.
It’s possible that they could include Keldon Johnson or Jeremy Sochan. Johnson would help stabilize their second unit and Sochan might even outplay Keegan Murray. Even if the French forward doesn’t, his versatility at both ends of the court makes him a valuable addition.
However, the Spurs don’t have much of a reason to include those types of players. Whether Fox is traded or plays out his contract, he wants to play for them. Because his contract expires next year, he could simply sign with San Antonio then, allowing them to keep players like Johnson and Sochan. The same applies to the concept of them sending over rookie standout Stephon Castle.
As a result, Sacramento will have to look at their next tier of players.
Zach Collins, Julian Champagnie To Kings
Not only because it might be necessary for salary purposes, Spurs center Zach Collins could be included in the package.
With Collins’s contract expiring in 2026, it’s easier to fathom them adding a well-paid player who’s having a down season. That being said, he’s a skilled big man with better size than Trey Lyles at 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds. Given their bench’s difficulties rebounding, he’d have a real purpose. Though Kings center Alex Len has even more length as a true 7-footer, he isn’t as mobile or effective beyond the arc.
The Spurs might not get away with giving up just Paul, Collins, and a few first-round picks though. In order to sweeten the deal, they could offer swingman Julian Champagnie. A career 37.1 percent three-point shooter at 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, the third-year forward is far more reliable as a spot-up threat than Murray (or Jae Crowder). That alone makes him important. It’s worth noting that he’s also a pretty solid defender though.
Following the trade, Sacramento would likely waive Len, who’s on a minimum contract, to open up the necessary roster spot.
