Kings Reportedly Face Increasing Pressure to Decide What’s Next for De’Aaron Fox

January 2, 2025

Not even two full days into 2025, and one thing is already clear: De’Aaron Fox is likely going to be a major talking point throughout this NBA season.

With the Sacramento Kings currently sitting outside the playoff picture at 12th in the West, the clock is ticking on what’s becoming a pivotal moment for the organization and its franchise point guard.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Kings face increasing pressure to figure out what’s next for Fox, who has one year left on his deal after passing on the team’s extension offer last summer.

This situation mirrors what we saw in Cleveland last season, when Donovan Mitchell kept the Cavaliers in a state of uncertainty until he made it clear in May that he would sign an extension.

In Sacramento’s case, Stein writes that if Fox does not sign an extension with the Kings, they will likely be forced to trade him this offseason to avoid letting him walk as a free agent in 2026.

However, Stein added that the Kings have made it clear they have no interest in trading Fox before the Feb. 6 deadline. At this stage, the Kings are focused on improving their roster around him and have rejected any trade inquiries.

But despite Sacramento’s refusal to entertain offers, the pressure is mounting. As Stein notes, the Kings’ recent firing of Mike Brown after just 31 games as head coach — despite a contract extension through 2026-27 — highlights the uncertainty surrounding the team.

The organization is in a new era, and the decision on Fox could define the trajectory of the franchise, especially considering the Kings passed on Luka Doncic in the 2018 draft to build around Fox.

Fox, a 2023 All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selection, is firmly in the crosshairs of multiple teams. Stein mentions the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic as the primary suitors.

San Antonio, in particular, is generating the most noise around a potential trade for Fox. The Spurs’ rebuilding process would benefit from a player of Fox’s caliber as they continue to eye the future.

But there’s another wrinkle in this developing story: the Houston Rockets. While rumors have circulated about the Rockets’ interest in Fox due to his Houston roots, Stein cautions that the Rockets are not a lock to pursue the trade.

Despite the frequent speculation, Houston has consistently maintained that it will focus on timeline and fit, and is unlikely to make a major in-season deal. The Rockets have a young roster filled with first-round picks, and the Rockets’ front office likes the direction they’re heading. As Stein reports, this makes the Rockets’ pursuit of Fox far from guaranteed.

Anyway, as things stand, the Spurs are the team that looks most likely to make a run at Fox, especially as they continue their rebuild. Houston, after all, was heavily involved in trade talks for Mitchell last offseason, but they were never able to land him after Cleveland locked up Mitchell with a long-term extension.

Similarly, rival teams are treating Fox like Mitchell was last season — as a player who isn’t necessarily available right now but could be in the near future.

Stein points out that Fox’s agent, Rich Paul, caused some stir during Sacramento’s 0-5 homestand when he met with Kings officials, signaling that all may not be well behind the scenes.

With the Kings recently firing Brown, who had an NBA Coach of the Year campaign just two seasons ago, Sacramento’s handling of the situation has drawn its fair share of negative attention across the league.

Stein also reports that Kings management — from owner Vivek Ranadivé to executives Monte McNair and Wes Wilcox — has remained largely silent amid the controversy surrounding Brown’s firing.

While the Kings have managed to rebound recently with a pair of wins over the Mavericks and 76ers, Stein is quick to point out that it’s premature to read too much into those victories, especially given the circumstances.

The uncertainty surrounding Fox’s future — coupled with the team’s ongoing organizational turmoil — suggests that we’ve only just begun to talk about what could be a defining year for both Fox and the Sacramento Kings.