3:29pm: Fox’s preferred landing spot is believed to be San Antonio, reports James Ham of The Kings Beat (Twitter link).
However, agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports remains open about where his client might land and is expected to talk to interested teams ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, according to Amick, who says Paul told the Kings it might be in their best interests to move Fox sooner rather than later.
2:41pm: The Kings are expected to open up discussions about the possibility of moving De’Aaron Fox ahead of next Thursday’s trade deadline, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Charania, there will likely be many teams with interest in Fox, though there’s a belief that the star guard – who can become a free agent in 2026 – is targeting a specific destination.
Sam Amick of The Athletic (Twitter link) confirms that piece of intel, adding that Fox has “continued to signal a lack of interest” in signing a contract extension with Sacramento. NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link) also hears that the 27-year-old is “zeroed in” on a specific team and says other potential suitors will be discouraged from acquiring him.
The timing of the news is interesting, given that the Kings have played their best basketball of the season over the past month, following the dismissal of head coach Mike Brown. Sacramento had a 13-19 record as of December 30, but has since climbed to 24-22 by winning 11 of its past 14 games under new coach Doug Christie.
Still, Fox’s contract situation in Sacramento is tenuous. He turned down a three-year, maximum-salary extension offer during the 2024 offseason, ostensibly because he’d have the opportunity to earn a more lucrative deal during the summer of 2025 — at that time, he’d be eligible for a four-year max deal or, if he earns All-NBA honors this season, a five-year super-max extension.
Fox subsequently spoke in both October and December about not wanting to commit long-term to Sacramento unless he was sure the team was able to “compete at a high level” and wasn’t just “fighting for a playoff spot.” Even after their recent surge, the Kings fall into that latter category. They currently hold the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference.
Reports in recent weeks have indicated that the Kings continue to seek out upgrades for their roster in the hopes of improving their playoff chances. Players like Brooklyn forward Cameron Johnson and Utah big man John Collins have been most frequently mentioned as potential targets.
However, the Kings may be reluctant to give up future assets for supplemental pieces if they’re not confident about their ability to retain Fox beyond his current contract and uncertain whether those potential additions would help convince him to stay.
A report last month indicated that the Spurs were positioning themselves to pursue Fox if he were made available.
The Rockets, who reportedly had interest in Donovan Mitchell last year, are also viewed as a logical suitor, with Fred VanVleet‘s maximum-salary contract only guaranteed through this season, notes Chris Mannix of SI.com (Twitter link). However, NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter link) hears that Houston remains reluctant to make a major in-season move.
Sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link) that the Nets are among the teams with Fox on their radar and are monitoring the situation. Amick said earlier this month that the Heat and Lakers are frequently discussed by people around the league as possible Fox suitors, with the Magic also believed to be considering the idea of going after him.
Of course, we don’t yet know the identity of the team Fox reportedly has his eye on, which figures to have a substantial impact on how the Kings’ trade talks play out.
For what it’s worth, opposing executives who have spoken to Begley (Twitter link) believe San Antonio is among the teams Fox would like to play for. During an NBA Today appearance on Tuesday afternoon (Twitter video link), Charania said the Lakers aren’t Fox’s destination of choice.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (via Twitter), if Fox’s preferred destination has cap room in 2026, that team could sign him outright at that point. But if Fox gets dealt to that team – along with his Bird rights – prior to 2026, he could sign a far more lucrative contract, worth up to a projected $296MM over five years instead of $219MM over four.
Because Fox is under contract for one more season beyond this one, the Kings aren’t necessarily under the gun to make a decision on his future by February 6. If he remains in Sacramento through the trade deadline, the team could revisit its trade options during the 2025 offseason.
Boo
He prob wants to go to the Rockets. Grew up in Houston area. He’d fit them well. Would be very interesting if the Rockets went for it this year. Maybe a year early, but they look like the real deal for years to come.
Problem is the only deal that makes sense is FVV + protected picks/swaps and I dont think that will be the high bid. It makes no sense to give up more from where Houston currently sits and I doubt that’s enticing to the Kings.
I think your complimenting FVV a little high
Maybe IRS and a couple of firsts for DMF .. Yes?
He is trying to force his way to San Antonio. He wants to go to San Antonio because they are willing and able to give him his maximum salary deal. In addition to being able to play with Wemby and compete for titles. Same way Jimmy Butler wants to force his way to Phoenix. Phoenix is the ONLY team willing to give him another max deal. Nothing is about winning anymore. Just getting paid the maximum amount of dollars …. Even if you have already earned hundreds of millions of $$$$$!!!!
If the Kings trade their franchise point guard they might as well start over.
They need D. They can score and rebound and assist. But when you score 126 and give up 129 most nights….. gotta be honest though. Fox is part of the solution not the problem. You can get D somewhere else. No pun intended
If they went full teardown they could bring in a boat load of assets dealing Monk/DeRozan/Murray/Sabonis/Ellis/Len/Lyles. Just tear this b**** down to the studs.
Boat load is not the term I would use. Sabonis and Monk can get you something not awful. DeRozan and Murray might be able to get you a meh draft pick. Len and Lyles are worthless essentially unless you need 8 million expiring. Ellis’s value is up in the air because of his contract situation.
My guess here is Monte looked at how this team preformed during Fox’s extended absence and was very impressed by Monks ability to run the offense. Price difference between Monk and Fox is steep. So his thinking may be leverage Fox’s affinity around the league and hope for an overpay. Run Monk/Debbo/Huerter/Murray/Sabonis until the offseason and try and make a splash for a difference maker by moving deebo and huerter (who can both be off the books the following year) + draft comp you got from the Fox deal.
Is that a stupid ass idea? It sure is. Welcome to Sacramento.
Not really a surprise. Kings FO really screwed the pooch by trying to change up the team instead of trying to upgrade what got them success in the first place. If Fox wasn’t interested in resigning with Sacramento in the first place, it’s a bit more of a moot point, but if he was just on the fence about it, they may have torpedoed their own chances by not securing the team around him and Sabonis.
Lakers
It’s already being reported that it’s not the lakers
Sillivan’s comment was made before that part of the article was posted.
In what world do the Kings help the Lakers? Not this one
The DeRozan Effect…
Things now got even more interesting.
Will we see one monster trade moving Fox, Butler, Beal, Lavine, Ingram, Middleton,… ?
Could Sacramento be a destination that Beal would accept? It is in the Southern part of the us… Should Sacramento take him on for two first rounders?
You want the Kings to trade Fox who’s under contract next season for Brad Beal and 2 1st rounders? WHAT?!?
You should brush up on your geography. Sacramento is basically the same latitude as Denver, Indianapolis and DC.
Northern California is not really that far south.
Sacramento is warmer than Chicago, that was the main point.
Its a lot warmer than any of those…
Fred Thompson and a first for fox
Win win
The Rockets are not trading Thompson. *Maybe* you could get Tari Eason, but that would require more draft compensation at least, plus maybe another young player. Fox’s contract isn’t expiring this year.
Rockets should not give up any of their young guys. They have plenty of contracts they can match salaries with and draft capital they can trade if they want to make a deal
Sacramento likely won’t accept it if it’s *only* picks. They’re not trading a good player, they’re trading the best player they’ve had since DeMarcus Cousins at the peak of his abilities. This might not get a Donovan Mitchell return, but it won’t be a painless trade for whoever makes it. You have to give up something to get something like this. Fox has been All-Star caliber for the past four+ seasons, even if he hasn’t gotten the selections.
Thompson isn’t going anywhere. Brooks, Sheppard 4 1sts work. Brooks, Smith jr 4 1sts work. Fred back to his extremely effective Raptors 6 man role. Do Houston really need Brooks with Thompson and Whitmore coming on strong? Either scenario gives Amen, Cam and Eason more burn. That’s a serious athletic squad. Fox, Green, Thompson, Eason, Sungun. Fred, Cam off the bench also a vet like Adams….that’s a serious team going forward.
My bad left out smith jr if going the Brooks, Sheppard route…wow. pull the trigger.
No shot the Kings want Brooks in return
Only to match salary. It’s the former no.3 pick in Sheppard and the picks Sacramento would want. Brooks is only contracted for 25/26 season isn’t he? Spurs could offer Vessell and picks. Think Kings would rather a PG in return. Sheppard needs game time to improve, can do that in Sacramento.
Former no.3 pick in one of the worst drafts we’ve had in a while. Kings aren’t panic selling for the potential of Reed Sheppard and 2 low value first round picks. They can find a better deal even if it takes them waiting for the offseason.
Sac wants either 2 of their young guys and bottom end draft comp or middling rotation players to shed salary eventually and 4 1sts.
Sac holds more cards than people think. Paul wants Fox to be traded before the deadline so that his bird rights follow him. Fox wants to win but his agent would like to win and get paid. Not trading him now means he either hopes and prays that San Antonio has cap room in 2026 offseason or he signs his max with Sacramento and demands a trade. Doesn’t mean Sac has to trade him at that point.
Paul wants to have his cake and eat it too. Not sure why he thinks Sac would be inclined to make that happen.
Miami. Time stamp this
Ooof.
Houston
Orl and Sas are 2 best fits Imo, Id really like to seehim in Orl, tho taking big swings has never been their MO
Don’t love the Green /Fox combo in Hou but they could probably trade Green in the summer when hes eligible but that seems a little 2 k’ e
Agree that Spurs make lots of sense.
Rockets as well though, since Van Vleets contract is expiring (with team option).
An idea that matches salary wise. Picks to be added.
Houston: Fox & Huerter for VanVleet
Phoenix: Butler for Beal
Kings: Beal for Fox & Huerter
Miami: Van Vleet for Butler
However, as with any trade involving Phoenix Beal is the big issue…
Please pair up with Wemby. That would be awesome and beneficial for both parties considering San Antonio’s treasure chest of picks. Teaming up with Sengun and Thompson would also be awesome.
This is why they are the Sacramento Kings ….
If this team had a Center a real rim protector. They would be top 2-4 in West. Makes no sense to bring this up now. I hope it’s the writer and not the team doing this. I get listening to offers. But You Should Now What You Will Get For Fox. You don’t need rumors ……..
Spurs for those picks they trade dilli for
Spurs will probably have to include Castle. Kings will certainly ask for him
They need to get a player pre Rfa thats done something already in this deal along with picks imo. They should state that right away
Cas- Castle
Orl- Da Silva
Hou- Thompson twin
Keldon Castle Tre +picks
for
Fox McBuckets Len
No chance Amen is available for any player. Certainly not for Fox.
Probably correct but he does need to be in the initial ask. Players like Fox at his age hardly become available on the market anymore
I think the return will be larger than what most people think if it happens
Get him spurs…
Spurs deal makes 0 sense. Nothing Sac would get in return helps them at all. Even if it’s going to be a full tear down. Spurs picks especially after adding Fox will be 2nd rounders every year essentially.
Rockets deal maybe but I don’t see their offer being so good that you don’t wait until the offseason to give other teams a better chance to make competitive offers.
Monte has to know that he’s out after this season. I hope that he doesn’t do something stupid to try and change that. But then again it’s the Kings so.
If a Rockets deal is going to happen it has to include 2 of these 4: Whitmore, Jabari, Shepard, Eason.
Not sure how you attach those contracts to another moveable piece to bring in Fox. Maybe some sort of FVV to Sac and Huerter also to Houston.
We loved you Foxy. Be free.
The spurs have some picks that arent theirs that are pretty valuable.
The Hawks picks aren’t that valuable until the East is more competitive. Picks this year that fall between 12-18 aren’t what you’re looking to build from either. There’s definitely a a better package out there from the Kings perspective.
They have hawks picks in different years, a really nice 31 MIN pick, and a bunch of valuable swaps with different teams in different years a number of which could be pretty juicy.
4 Way Trade Phoenix Suns -Jimmy Butler. New Orleans Pelicans- Bradley Beal/ 3 first round picks from jazz. Miami Heat- Deaaron Fox/ Herbert Jones. Sacramento Kings- Brandon Ingram. Money works and solves a lot of problems.
I’m booking my ticket already just for the party in South Beach that would spontaneously bust out, probably roll all the way thru spring break !
And who does Utah get???
3 1st’s for Ingram? Maybe the 3 they traded to Suns.
This is absolutely insane. Kings trade Fox for an expiring BI. WHAT
Once Moses Moody’s new contract starts, Moody can be traded 1-1 for Fox’s expiring contract with 1 year left.
Fox is not a superstar. He’s a star. I think he has a DeRozan ceiling. Good player but will he be the best or 2nd best player on a team that’s really contending? Seems like this would only be done for keeping Wemby happy.
Lakers could offer Bronny straight up for Fox; the Kings would jump at that lol!
The Kings have made mistake after mistake in recent years…
The Kangz gonna Kang…
The Sabonis trade was pretty good
Not really. People thought they over paid at the time, and then bid against themselves on his extension trading for room so they could give him an above market extension. On top of that the whole NBA would say the most valuable player traded both since the deal and moving forward is Hali…
Everyone in the NBA would say that Tyrese is the most valuable player traded in that deal? Not the guy who actually received MVP votes in the last 2 seasons? Not the guy who’s made more All NBA spots? Not the guy who’s led the league in his position’s most important stat for 2 – about to be 3 seasons consecutively?
I love Hali but Domas disrespect has got to stop
Domas is a candy bar, all empty calories. You know the NBA moved past just valuing guys for counting stats like 2 decades ago? Who cares that hes a 2 category machine. He also is terrible on defense and makes any team he starts on almost incapable of being even middle of the road. He puts up stats but not like a star which is how hes paid. Hes a 3rd option scorer on a title team if you ignore the defense entirely. He also is hitting 3s but only the warmup style ones. Ive seen him airball several recently when anyone shows any kind of a contest so he isnt a stretch 5 hes a dude that will knock down a few if there isnt a defender within 15 feet.
Hali is younger and better. He drives an offense and has positional length to not get destroyed. You can build a good defense around Hali and he makes your team a good offense with his playmaking.
Yeah, but it seems like Vivek is trying to call the shots again. If so, it won’t end well.
Rich Paul trying his hardest to convince Fox to demand a trade to the Lakers lol not gonna happen
LA just cant put together a package close to any of the other options. 2 picks at most. Most other teams can give you 4-5 with some being protected and better salary coming back.
Fox + Monk — Jimmy + JJJ
HEAT get a Kentucky reunion. They need a separate trade for Rozier though, bring back some size.
KINGS try to make a push in the West – they saw some success when Fox went out, they know what JJJ can do. Need a separate Huerter trade as well.
Spitballin here, I’m drunk.
Fox for Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins, 2 first round picks, 2 pick swaps and 2 seconds.
Or
Fox and Hueter for Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and 2 firsts.
First deal is about kings get getting draft capital for a full rebuild.
Second deal is more about getting back win now pieces or assets than can be moved to stay competitive.
For the spurs both packages work well for them.
You’ve got Wemby, go get Fox and keep Castle and Sochan. Don’t need much more talent just get the right role players around them
Lakers would pursue him for what? They don’t have any assets. This is the kind of stupid reporting that makes me think this is an agent thing and not a Fox thing.