Trade rumors have swirled around Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox ever since the franchise moved on from former head coach Mike Brown back in December. While the team has played well since, winning 11 of their 15 contests since interim coach Dough Christie took over, it appears Fox may not stay in Sacramento after all.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Kings are expected to open trade talks surrounding Fox ahead of the upcoming February 6 deadline.
The potential move is certain to shake the trade landscape ahead of next week’s deadline day. While Jimmy Butler has been the primary name on the market in recent weeks, the opportunity to add a still-young, former All-NBA talent will attract plenty of suitors. According to reports, Fox has one particular destination in mind, though.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the San Antonio Spurs are widely presumed to be a destination that would interest Fox if a move were to occur. If San Antonio is his preferred landing spot, how would it impact the team, and what would a potential deal look like?
Fox’s fit with the Spurs
The addition of Victor Wembanyama in last year’s draft ushered in a new era in San Antonio. The reigning Rookie of the Year made waves with his outrageous stat lines and it quickly became clear he was on the path to stardom. Fast-forward to this season, and the 7-foot-3 big man is already, at absolute worst, a top-10 player in the NBA as a sophomore. The Spurs sit 20-23, 12th in the Western Conference, but have remained competitive thanks to the French superstar’s growth.
With that in mind, it’s become clear that Wembanyama needs a running mate in San Antonio, particularly a guard to complement his own game. At age 27, Fox fits the timeline of this Spurs team and could help elevate their play to the next level. With averages of 25.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game this season, Fox’s production would provide a major boost to both Wembanyama’s development and the team’s overall success.
The Spurs rank 17th in offensive rating and 15th in points per game as a team, and their point guard rotation is arguably their weakest position. While starter Chris Paul averages 9.5 points and 8.2 assists as the stabilizing veteran presence all young squads need, he’s 39 years old and doesn’t fit the long-term timeline. Backup Tre Jones and lottery-pick rookie Stephon Castle have each had their fair share of struggles, too.
It’s evident that Fox would be a massive boost to this point guard rotation. His scoring would provide a true second option next to Wembanyama and draw more defensive attention, making teammates’ jobs easier. Fox is also a great playmaker, though, so his presence as a facilitator could also be a boon for a young team that’s still in the process of developing their talent. Plus, the two-man pick-and-roll game between Fox, one of the league’s fastest players, and Wemby, a physical anomaly, would instantly become a lethal threat.
What would a trade take?
The Spurs have about $22.5 million of cap space to work with before they reach the first apron. With a couple of moveable salaries, it’s not difficult for them to absorb Fox’s deal, which sits at $34.8 million this season and $37 million in 2025-2026.
The Kings would almost certainly be looking for young prospects and picks in exchange for their star player. A potential trade seems likely to involve the aforementioned rookie guard Stephon Castle, a tenacious defender with a ways to go in his offensive game. 25-year-old wing Keldon Johnson could also find his way into a potential deal thanks to untapped scoring upside, plus his $19-million cap hit. With those two young players, plus multiple future firsts such as the Atlanta Hawks picks and swap rights the Spurs own, San Antonio could field a very competitive offer for Fox’s talents.
Other players such Harrison Barnes or Zach Collins could be used as salary filler since their contracts are similar to, but shorter than Johnson’s. Either way, the Spurs would likely want to ensure they retain their own future first round picks. Additionally, the vision of a team led by Wembanyama, Fox, and 24-year-old shooting guard Devin Vassell seems like it could be appealing, so it would be surprising to see Vassell included in a deal.
All things considered
The Spurs currently hold +650 odds to make the playoffs, which is understandable given their current status as the 12-seed in the West. If they were to finagle a deal for Fox, though, their odds to make the postseason would almost certainly see an increase. However, they would still likely remain a long-shot to win the Finals due to a lack of difference-making depth.
With that said, having a transcendent young talent like Wembanyama at the helm means this team is only a few pieces away from reaching contender status. With the addition of Fox, they’d be one step closer to expediting their rebuild and launching into contention in a loaded Western Conference.
