With the Sacramento Kings off to a slow start with their 13-17 record this season, All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox has become the subject of trade rumors. Fox has yet to sign a contract extension with the Kings because he wants to wait and see if they can build a winning roster around him but also wants the opportunity to sign a supermax next summer.
However, Fox has made it no secret that he wants to win at a high level, and Sacramento has gone backward after earning a three seed in 2023 and pushing the Warriors to seven games in the playoffs. The Kings were bounced out of the play-in last year and are in danger of missing it altogether this season.
With Sacramento fading fast and Fox and his agent, Rich Paul, having a growing sense of unrest, we may see Fox request a trade sooner rather than later. If this were to materialize, one team stands out as the best fit.
The San Antonio Spurs should do whatever it takes to land Fox and pair him with superstar Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs have exceeded expectations at every turn this season, and even though they are only 15-15 and just out of the play-in for now, they have a budding young core with Wembanyama leading the way.
The second -year phenom is averaging 25 points per game, 10 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks per game. In his Christmas Day debut, he dropped 42 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks on the Knicks and outplayed Karl-Anthony Towns.
However, as great as Wemby is, the Spurs rank 17th in offensive rating (111.7) and could use a dynamic scorer like Fox. He ranks ninth in the NBA in PPG (26.2) and is very efficient around the rim (68.8 percent) and can score at all three levels. He also boasts a 58 percent true shooting percentage, which is above league average for point guards (55.3 percent).
Additionally, the Spurs have an 8-5 record in clutch games this season, and adding one of the clutchest players in the league in Fox (11th in clutch scoring this season) would make that even more of a strength and take pressure off of Wemby.
The Spurs have young guys like Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, and Jeremy Sochan who would complement the duo of Fox and Wemby given their unique blend of scoring, defensive versatility, and high energy. They also have veterans in Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, who provide the team with structure and leadership, given their playoff experience.
Fox will obviously command a hefty price in any trade, but thanks to the rebuilding the Spurs have been doing, they have a boatload of first-round picks available to trade and can create a package worth the Kings’ while. If Fox does become available, San Antonio should not hesitate to get Sacramento on the phone.