The Sacramento Kings are willing to listen to trade offers for star guard De’Aaron Fox, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The two sides have been unable to agree on a long-term deal. Fox has been with the Kings since he was drafted fifth overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. The trade deadline is just over a week away (Feb. 6). Fox is arguably the most significant player that will be available at the deadline. Several teams are expected to submit offers.
Here are five potential suitors that make the most sense:
Houston Rockets
An immediate match for Fox is the Houston Rockets. They have the resources to get a deal done for any available superstar. Current starting point guard Fred VanVleet has given them a nice boost since signing a free-agent deal two years ago. However, the 30-year-old is enduring a down year across the board. Backcourt mate Jalen Green has been on fire for the last month, but there are still questions about him ever reaching his full potential.
The Rockets could package VanVleet, another of their young players (Cam Whitmore’s minutes are down in Year 2), and a few picks to get a deal done. But, will Houston feel motivated to make a move? They’re the No. 2 seed out West with one of the youngest rosters in the league. They could keep this group together instead of cashing in for a 27-year-old who needs a new contract. Fox would be an immediate boost, but the Rockets might be content with their current position.
Orlando Magic
Maybe a move to the Eastern Conference for Fox who has spent his entire NBA career in Sacramento. The Magic are an up-and-coming group coming off a playoff appearance last season. They’ve stayed afloat this year despite injuries to its top two players. Fox would step into a team built on defense that needs an offensive spark.
The question the Magic must answer: Is adding Fox worth it if it means fewer touches for Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero? The Magic have thrived with their two jumbo playmakers facilitating most of the offense. It’s unclear how well the pieces would fit if they add another high-usage player — especially with how poorly Fox has shot the ball this year (32.4 3PT%).
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat love their stars. With Jimmy Butler seemingly on his way out, would Fox be the replacement? Fox would form an all-Kentucky backcourt next to Tyler Herro. Their skill sets match quite well with Fox’s downhill style and Herro’s excellent shooting ability. Miami seems to have found something with rookie Kel’El Ware starting next to Bam Adebayo. In an instant, the Heat would return to Eastern Conference relevance if they could swap Butler for Fox.
Would the Kings be interested in Butler? That is hard to say. There are rumblings that the team is still trying to push for a playoff spot despite Fox’s trade request. However, Butler’s discontent stems from failing to reach a new max deal with Miami. If the Kings couldn’t agree to a deal with Fox — who they’ve had in their building for eight years — it seems unlikely they’d be quick to get anything done for Butler. A third team could be included here, with the Kings receiving picks and Butler getting rerouted elsewhere.
San Antonio Spurs
All signs are pointing to Fox’s preferred destination being San Antonio. It makes sense from his perspective. Joining a team with a history of winning and a 21-year-old phenom is alluring. Victor Wembanyama can cover for most of Fox’s defensive deficiencies. Fox — who is on his fifth coach in eight years with the Kings — would get to learn under one of the greatest of all time, Gregg Popovich.
How much of the young core would the Spurs be willing to part with in such a deal? Stephon Castle (20), Jeremy Sochan (21), and Devin Vassell (24) would be on Sacramento’s preferred list of players. Vassell would potentially allow the Kings to stay competitive this year. San Antonio would accelerate its timeline, and immediately become a team to watch in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The NBA can be unpredictable with these sorts of things, so let’s add one wildcard to the mix. The Timberwolves made a massive trade in the offseason, and it hasn’t paid off thus far. Julius Randle has been a mess in Minnesota. Donte DiVincenzo hasn’t lived up to his status as a top role player. Meanwhile, former Timberwolf Karl-Anthony Towns is thriving with the Knicks and was just named an All-Star starter. Could Minnesota salvage the season before it’s too late?
Randle isn’t enough to get a deal done, but if the Timberwolves are willing to add rookie Rob Dillingham that could create some interest on Sacramento’s end. It would satisfy both sides for the Kings — Dillingham is a young prospect with potential and Randle is a two-time All-NBA forward that could help them win games this year. For Minnesota, they form the fastest backcourt in the league and one that could get them back to the Western Conference Finals.
