The Sacramento Kings are reportedly exploring trade options for star point guard De’Aaron Fox, according to Brian Windhorst.
Sources suggest Fox has been “less engaged than usual” this season after turning down a preseason contract extension offer. His relationship with the franchise further soured when he was unfairly blamed for the firing of head coach Mike Brown, exacerbating tensions.
One league executive told ESPN that the Kings’ decision to make the 27-year-old available is strategic. “Bottom line here is the Kings seem to know Fox isn’t going to re-sign with them,” the executive said.
“That’s clarifying, and now they can be a first mover and do it at a time when they can get the best deal. This is how Utah played things with Donovan Mitchell a few years ago. They got out ahead of it and generated a bidding war.”
Fox, who has a year and a half remaining on his contract, has been the face of the franchise for several seasons. However, Sacramento appears poised to take a proactive approach, aiming to secure maximum value before his departure becomes inevitable.
This potential move echoes the Jazz’s decision to trade Mitchell in advance of his contract’s expiration, which allowed them to capitalize on his market value and spark a competitive bidding war among teams.
Bontemps/Windhorst's Latest: Smart, Thunder, Rockets, Fox https://t.co/RPtR313T1t pic.twitter.com/wCcUuEDRK1
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