De'Aaron Fox Rumors Suggest a Possible Trade to The Spurs

[baseline bum]

Which they will tbh. They’ll likely demand Castle + 2 or 3 FRP’s and then the negotiating begins. Don’t think they’re highly interested in Vassell, especially the way he’s playing this season. That Kings team needs defense as bad as we do and Devin does nothing for them in that regard.

They won't have the leverage to extract Castle. It's not like the Spurs would be trading for prime Anthony Davis.

[Bruno]

The first Klutch guard who was rumored to want to join Wemby was Trae Young. He isn't with Klutch anymore but he was one of their client when the rumor started.

Kings biggest issue is that they are an offensive minded team (with Sabonis at C, it's difficult to have a great defensive iden y) but they struggle shooting 3's. Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray were their main weapons behind the arc and they now suck at that. Unless Fox ask now to be traded, Kings next move should be to go after Cam Johnson and even overpaying to get him.

[scott]

I've waited a while to weigh in on this because my initial reaction was no. I've never seen Fox as someone who impacts winning enough for the salary he'll get.

That said, who does who's also available? Markkanen? Love him and think he's a uniquely great fit around Wemby but does he impact winning? Butler at 36? You can't wait forever for the perfect player to become available, because those types rarely do and when they do they don't fall over each other to go to SA.

I see comments like this frequently (not picking on you, BG), but I'm never quite sure what they are supposed to mean. Basketball, after all, is a team sport and one player alone can't change things (just look at the 2023-24 Spurs as an example. Would people would have labelled Wemby as a player who doesn't impact winning after that year? But look at what happens with some minor upgraded (CP, Barnes) and some internal improvement from just a few guys (Champ, Sochan) even despite regression from others (Vassell, Johnson). Would folks have said the same thing about Derrick White before he went to BOS?

At the end of the day, I think good players are good. Yes, there are bad players who put up good stats on terrible teams, but that's why we can dig beyond the counting stats. Due diligence is always required, but I don't see "this guy isn't someone who impacts winning" as being a particularly deep argument.

[spurraider21]

5. Sam has "heard" (which I believe is 100% true and he's not giving more detail because he doesn't want to out his sources) that Klutch wants to pair one of their guard clients with Wemby. Me reading between the lines: This of course doesn't necessarily mean it will happen... but it might work in SA's favor if a Klutch guard client wants to move. SA may get a discount on the trade acquisition cost (though Klutch is going to certainly not going to give a discount on the salary)

- klutch does not dictate trade value

- what does it mean to say klutch wants one of their guards with wemby? what if fox doesnt want to go to SA? does klutch just tell him "sorry bro, we want you with wemby, tough "

i think people grossly overstate the big evil empire that is klutch sports and the impact they have other than the fact that some big names signed there. i think the closest you could point to is AD, but it was known for a while that AD wanted LA independent of klutch and the lakers gave a lot of pieces to make that happen, too. Ingram and Ball were valuable pieces, Hart was and is a very good role player, and they gave up 3 first, one of which was the #4 pick in that very draft... AND new orleans had just landed zion, so the stars aligned for them to finally move off AD

[LeBowen]

klutch does not dictate trade value

Klutch Sports founder and CEO Rich Paul is the only downside of a potential Fox trade.
Having him pressure the front office in all kind of moves would be annoying, especially if Fox doesn't sign an extension right away.

I've been pondering the Rock about potential Castle/Fox dynamic and while I think it could easily work, it would still be better if we can get a Booker-type player next to Castle, but there just aren't any that are available. Maybe PATFO should've pursued Mitc or Garland, now it's too late.
We either get Fox or we hope CP3 stays for another year while Castle rapidly develops into Jrue 2.0 and Devin miraculously gets over himself.

[scott]

- klutch does not dictate trade value

- what does it mean to say klutch wants one of their guards with wemby? what if fox doesnt want to go to SA? does klutch just tell him "sorry bro, we want you with wemby, tough "

i think people grossly overstate the big evil empire that is klutch sports and the impact they have other than the fact that some big names signed there. i think the closest you could point to is AD, but it was known for a while that AD wanted LA independent of klutch and the lakers gave a lot of pieces to make that happen, too. Ingram and Ball were valuable pieces, Hart was and is a very good role player, and they gave up 3 first, one of which was the #4 pick in that very draft... AND new orleans had just landed zion, so the stars aligned for them to finally move off AD

In regard to the bolded, the discount on acquisition price would result if Klutch and their client decide the Wemby pairing is what they want and they state they won't extend anywhere but SA. Klutch does not dictate value, but they (and their client) can most certainly influence it.

Beyond that, yeah for sure... Klutch doesn't call all the shots, the client has to also be on board.

I think the vilification of Klutch is hilarious as well. They are an agency. Their job is to maximize outcomes for their clients, and nothing else. People used to lambast Drew Rosenhaus for his antics (particularly around Terrell Owens), but the dude was one of the best at his job (which is representing his clients interests).

[scott]

I don't think Castle works in SAC any more than Sochan. Yes, both are young and promising, but they don't fit next to the pieces they already have. I don't think SAC will completely blow it up if they move Fox, just look to readjust the direction around Sabonis/DDR/Murray. It would be too drastic and too expensive for SAC to completely blow it up, and the fanbase might revolt after being halfway decent after almost two decades of being atrocious.

Sochan would be completely unplayable with DDR and Sabonis, and Castle not much better. Yes, they provide defense, but the offense would be a complete mess. Devin fits what they need on offense best, a 3rd/4th option shooter.

The Kings are a middle of the road defensive (16th in DRTG) with a good offense (8th in ORTG). They're also better than their record indicates. They have a +1.6 NETRTG, and their record should be flipped... they just have been atrocious is close games this year (.214 record, worst in the NBA). That wouldn't suggest a complete blow up is necessary. At some point, you've got to think Murray will regain his shooting touch, at which point you've got a wing (Murray) and a guard (Vassell) who complement DDR and Sabonis quite nicely. They could start Monk or Vassell to present different looks (Monk is a much more dynamic offensive player).

The biggest problem is that we don't have that second, Cam Whitmore/Reed Sheppard-like prospect to send them as well.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

A weak mentally dude who checks out when things aren’t optimal.

LMA was a good Spur, not his fault he got nephed with the rest of us

[exstatic]

- klutch does not dictate trade value

- what does it mean to say klutch wants one of their guards with wemby? what if fox doesnt want to go to SA? does klutch just tell him "sorry bro, we want you with wemby, tough "

i think people grossly overstate the big evil empire that is klutch sports and the impact they have other than the fact that some big names signed there. i think the closest you could point to is AD, but it was known for a while that AD wanted LA independent of klutch and the lakers gave a lot of pieces to make that happen, too. Ingram and Ball were valuable pieces, Hart was and is a very good role player, and they gave up 3 first, one of which was the #4 pick in that very draft... AND new orleans had just landed zion, so the stars aligned for them to finally move off AD

That’s not completely true. They have a huge roster of clients, and if you get crossways with them, they can freeze you out in free agency, kind of like a basketball version of Scott Boras. They are in a huge position of leverage r/n with Fox. They can force a trade by telling Sacto that he won’t extend or re-sign in 2026, and can pick a landing spot by telling teams that are undesirable to Fox that he won’t re-sign there, either.

[Mal]

Mike Brown is gone

[LeBowen]

Mike Brown is gone

Mainstream media and the fans pretty much forced the Kings front office into giving him an extension even though they never rated him. Now he's in for a big payout and they have to find a new coach in a weak market.
Maybe Griffin gets another job, he did a solid job with the Bucks. But I'm sure they'll be looking for someone more experienced.
(Please take Brett Brown.)

[Mal]

Mainstream media and the fans pretty much forced the Kings front office into giving him an extension even though they never rated hit

He checks the box

[Sugus]

Man, I really don't like that move for the Kings. Hard to say the coach was to blame with that roster.

I think this move increases the odds of Fox asking out, if by nothing other than stirring up chaos within the Kings. Interesting....

[Leetonidas]

Brown being fired makes me think they're not going to trade Fox...or they're about to blow it all up

[Mal]

Man, I really don't like that move for the Kings. Hard to say the coach was to blame with that roster.

I think this move increases the odds of Fox asking out, if by nothing other than stirring up chaos within the Kings. Interesting....

If coach wasn't the problem, they will go into rebuild at deadline

[exstatic]

Man, I really don't like that move for the Kings. Hard to say the coach was to blame with that roster.

I think this move increases the odds of Fox asking out, if by nothing other than stirring up chaos within the Kings. Interesting....

Coach always takes the fall.

[scott]

Mike Brown led practice, did a media session, and then got fired right before he was supposed to get on a plane to LA with the team. What a show... what coach would voluntarily take this job if they have any other viable options?

[exstatic]

If coach wasn't the problem, they will go into rebuild at deadline

They might. They can cash out their pieces like Utah did a couple of years ago. Sabo still has decent value. If they decide to move Fox, there’s really no one else to build around.

[John B]

I doubt a new coach could rally that team to winning more games with their flawed roster. Fox asking for a trade is inevitable

[Sugus]

If coach wasn't the problem, they will go into rebuild at deadline

Best case scenario for us - firesale, with pressure from Fox's camp.

I doubt it happens like that, though. I don't see the Kings letting go of Fox unless he explicitly asks out and says he's not resigning there.

Like most "stars", he puts butts in seats. Mediocre franchises really value that.

[LeBowen]

Mike Brown led practice, did a media session, and then got fired right before he was supposed to get on a plane to LA with the team. What a show... what coach would voluntarily take this job if they have any other viable options?

They'll force someone into taking the job by throwing enough money at them like the Pistons did with Monty...we all know how that ended.

I think it's time for Klutch Sports owner and CEO Rich Paul to lead the hiring process. Fox will probably get someone he likes, sign an extension, it will be a massive failure and then he'll ask out in 2026.

[exstatic]

Best case scenario for us - firesale, with pressure from Fox's camp.

I doubt it happens like that, though. I don't see the Kings letting go of Fox unless he explicitly asks out and says he's not resigning there.

Like most "stars", he puts butts in seats. Mediocre franchises really value that.

That would be exactly how it would have to happen.

[timtonymanu]

I wonder how Derozan feels about this. Not a good feeling when you’re constantly in losing situations.

Also lol @ “I don’t want this person cause they don’t impact winning.” We’re not landing Jokic or Giannis next to Wemby. Going after Fox or Markannen is what we can realistically obtain. Wemby is proving to be a legit superstar so I feel like any second level star will do well with him.

That being said, I feel like to get Fox, the kings will want Castle. Teams are watching how mediocre Vassell is and I doubt trading him for Fox will be enough. And I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing ever comes to fruition.

[Leetonidas]

Best case scenario for us - firesale, with pressure from Fox's camp.

I doubt it happens like that, though. I don't see the Kings letting go of Fox unless he explicitly asks out and says he's not resigning there.

Like most "stars", he puts butts in seats. Mediocre franchises really value that.

They still have Sabonis and DD as "stars" who can be tank commanders since they're not winning players

[LeBowen]

I wonder how Derozan feels about this. Not a good feeling when you’re constantly in losing situations.

If he wants to win he has to realize he's not a winning player and take a 6th man role on a reasonable salary.
Instead he took a $75M deal (rightfully so) from a team that was never going to be serious with this roster.