The Sacramento Kings are finalizing a trade to send De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a multi-team deal that ships Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls to Sacramento, according to ESPN.
Here’s the full trade details:
The Kings made Fox available ahead of the trade deadline in recent weeks after concerns emerged within the franchise of the guard re-signing with the team past his current contract, which ends in the summer of 2026. The concerns first started back in October, when Fox turned down a reported three-year, $165 million contract extension with the intention of looking for a more lucrative deal.
It was reported then that Fox wanted to be a part of Sacramento’s future, but trade rumors began to surface in late December after Fox’s agent Rich Paul met with Sacramento’s front office to discuss the team’s long-term plans and to see if they fit with what Fox’s goals are. Reports suggested that the Kings “entered the danger zone regarding the uncertain future of their franchise guard.” A few days later, the Kings fired head coach Mike Brown, which again raised questions about Fox’s future. Fox took to social media to declare he had nothing to do with Brown’s firing, and it was reported then that he didn’t want out of Sacramento, though speculation remained.
Now, just four days ahead of the trade deadline, Fox has been dealt to the Spurs — his preferred destination — in a blockbuster deal. This deal didn’t ultimately happen because Fox requested a trade, but rather because of Sacramento’s nervousness over potentially losing him for nothing.
The Kings got Fox to his top destination, officially closing the chapter on his time in Sacramento after seven and a half seasons. During Fox’s time in Sacramento, he led the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 17 years during the 2022-23 season, breaking the longest playoff drought not just in the NBA, but across all four major American sports. He ranks in the top 10 in Kings history for points, assists and steals, among other categories.
Fox now joins a young, exciting Spurs team to play alongside French phenom and reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. Fox immediately improves San Antonio’s starting lineup, which has been in search of someone to pair with Wembanyama. And he’ll certainly do a better job of getting Wemby the ball in the spots he wants than any of the other guards on the roster — outside of Chris Paul. Fox’s timeline also fits seamlessly with Wembanyama for this early part of his career, and what’s even better, the Spurs didn’t have to give up any of their young players or quality draft assets, meaning they can go and get a third star if they want.
Luka Doncic trade: What factors led to Lakers and Mavericks making the most shocking deal in NBA history?
Bill Reiter
Now onto the Kings, who are basically now just the Bulls of the last few years instead with Domantas Sabonis instead of Nikola Vucevic. Sacramento did get three first-round picks, but the 2027 first-rounder from the Spurs isn’t of much value as they’ll likely be contenders by then, meaning the pick would land somewhere in the 20s. The Charlotte 2025 pick is of even less value as it’s lottery protected this year, and if not conveyed this year it becomes two second-round picks, one in 2026 the other in 2027. The best value pick is the unprotected 2031 first-round pick, which comes from Minnesota, which has the potential to be a high pick depending on what the Timberwolves look like by then.
Aside from the picks the Kings received, they’re getting an efficient scorer in LaVine to pair with Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan. Sacramento is clearly hoping that they’ll have better luck with the LaVine-DeRozan duo than the Bulls did over the last five years.
For the Bulls, they get off LaVine’s massive contract after trying for a year to trade him, which is a win in itself. They also get their 2025 pick back from the Spurs that they sent in the deal that got them DeRozan years ago. That’s a huge stress relief off their back as that was a top-10 protected pick this year and the Bulls have been teetering around that mark all season. Vucevic could be moved next to close the book on what’s been another mediocre era in Chicago basketball.
