3 NBA players who need to be traded to save their careers

3 of 4

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 05: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks to drive on Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on November 05, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

NBA players who need to be traded to save their careers: 2. De’Aaron Fox

Probably the least surprising player to end up on this list, De’Aaron Fox has endured a bumpy ride since being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2017. Now in his fifth year, but still only 24, the most notable thing the Kings have done recently is fire another head coach in Luke Walton. Before that, it was passing up on Luka Doncic… and Trae Young… and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Right now, Fox should be in the same position as Ja Morant. A young superstar on the rise with an upstart roster like the Memphis Grizzlies, and he should be in line to make the All-Star game for the first time. Instead, he lingers on a Kings team that seems to take one step forward every 18 months or so, before then taking several steps back.

Can you imagine how exciting it would be if Fox was a part of the New York Knicks, for example? That would actually be a great match for both too, as Kemba Walker is already missing time and Julius Randle could do with a second All-Star level player to run a devastating two-man game with.

At 6-12, and even with the Western Conference seemingly not as competitive as it has been, Fox already faces an uphill battle to even make it to the play-in game. His own personal stats have taken a hit, and the 24.4 percent he is shooting from deep on over four attempts a night is a poor return.

Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell look like two NBA players who could really help Fox and form the basis of a reliable core. Yet even the prospect of this seems less exciting, or perhaps less likely to succeed, purely because they are based in Sacramento. We watched DeMarcus Cousins toil away for too long out there, so let’s hope Fox does not have to go through more of the same.