The Sacramento Kings are reportedly evaluating trade offers for star point guard De’Aaron Fox as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches.
With Fox under contract until 2026, the Kings have a critical decision to make: either capitalize on his current trade value while he still has multiple years left on his contract or risk losing leverage as the timeline narrows.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania during an appearance on First Take, the Kings’ proactive approach could be a strategic attempt to avoid being forced into a corner.
“In a lot of ways, this is the Kings getting ahead of what’s coming in the offseason,” Charania explained.
“He’s going to be a free agent in 2026, so if he were to be traded at the trade deadline, this gives them more time on his contract to potentially get more value instead of waiting for the summer when every team in the league knows they have to move De’Aaron Fox.”
Fox, currently in his prime and locked into a maximum contract, is widely regarded as a highly desirable asset. Charania emphasized the significance of his potential trade, calling it a “massive domino” for the league.
He noted that Sacramento’s front office has been clear about its demands: “The Kings, so far in conversations with all those teams, they’ve said they want win-now players. They want draft capital as well.”
While no official confirmation has been made, speculation is growing that Fox has a specific trade destination in mind. Sources indicate that the San Antonio Spurs could be his preferred landing spot, though the analyst noted that Fox’s agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, has not publicly confirmed this.
“Him and his representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, they have a destination already in mind,” Charania shared. “I’ve asked Rich Paul to confirm what I’ve heard. He’s been unwilling to me to confirm, but league sources tell me the San Antonio Spurs are De’Aaron Fox’s preferred destination.”
The Kings are reportedly open to discussing potential deals with the Spurs, who have shown interest in acquiring Fox. However, multiple other teams are also said to be in the mix. Sacramento’s primary focus is securing maximum value for the guard, whether through immediate contributors or draft assets.
“If he’s a rental for any other team, there is a question on what price you’re willing to pay,” Charania concluded, highlighting the delicate balance teams must consider when weighing Fox’s potential acquisition.
Fox has played 8 seasons for the Kings. He has averaged 21.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 513 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 1 All-Star game.
Kings Seeking Win-Now Players, Draft Capital In De'Aaron Fox Trade Talks https://t.co/Ma8Rq0KLNg
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