NBA Notes: Kings, De’Aaron Fox, Spurs, Thunder

Kings

Kings guard De’Aaron Fox is opting to bypass a potential three-year, $165 million contract extension in favor of a potential larger payday after the upcoming season, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

In other words, Fox is betting on himself, and that might not be such a bad move. He has clearly emerged as one of the league’s best guards and is the playmaker for a team that’s seemingly on the rise.

Meanwhile, the decision also shows confidence from Sacramento’s standpoint. As long as Fox and the Kings continue to go on an upward path, the organization will have no issue with paying him accordingly.

“By waiting for next summer, Fox would open up the possibility of a four-year, $229 million maximum extension with the Kings — or a five-year, $345 million supermax deal should he be named to an All-NBA team,” Charania wrote.

• In case you missed it, the Kings are sending forward Jalen McDaniels to the Spurs in a salary-related trade. We have that full post here.

Spurs

The Spurs are signing free agent guard Isaiah Miller to an Exhibit 10 training camp contract, per the RealGM transactions log.

Miller, who went undrafted out of UNC Greensboro in 2021, has spent the early years of his professional career honing his skills in the G League. After one season with the Iowa Wolves, he spent the last two seasons with the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s affiliate.

Last season, Miller showed promise in 49 G League games, averaging 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in about 20.5 minutes per game. His shooting splits of .486 from the field, .236 from three, and .676 from the free-throw line indicate he’s still a work in progress but possesses the potential to be a valuable contributor.

• The Spurs intend to waive Jalen McDaniels after acquiring him in the trade with the Kings, as we relayed here.

Thunder

The Thunder have signed and waived center Chase Jeter, the team announced in a press release.

Jeter, 27, is 6-foot-10 and played college ball at Duke and Arizona before going undrafted in 2020. He then took his game overseas, spending the past two seasons in Austria and Czechia.

Last season, he played for BK Nova Hut Ostrava in the Czech National Basketball League, where he averaged 13.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in 19 games. He’s likely headed to the OKC Blue of the G League next.

• In case you missed it, the Thunder season preview has been posted. You can check it out right here.