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

[rascal]

Keep Castle and both SA 25 and Atlanta 25

Offer Vassell. Johnson and Sochan and three number 1s. If Sac doesn't want it then walk away. Spurs should be in the drivers seat and get what they want to build the core of a dynasty.

I believe if the Spurs keep both their and Atlanta's 25 picks that is going to turn into a top 4 pick. I'm willing to take the odds on that. Those odds have a good chance to be 34% or higher.

Wemby, Fox, Castle, a number 4 pick in 25 and another top 10 pick in 25 is a core for a dynasty and also moves off Vassell, Sochan and Johnson.

[Davidicus]

The rental thing is not real. Just a talk track for Fox Klutch to get what they want. Too much money to lose without Bird rights.

In my mind, when looking at the PROS for each team, by time block, it’s:

Trade Deadline:
SAC: Best return in value
SA: can lock in Fox and eliminate the compe ion

Summer:
SAC: more teams interested, because (assuming) Fox becomes more open to other teams because he won’t want to lose Bird money. This in theory raises trade value with greater supply of bidders.
SA: Lower offer to SAC vs Feb deadline (but still has to beat the increase in compe ion). This is where IMO things get dicey. Specifically, Fox has to keep tooting the “SA-only” horn or we may end up bidding the same or higher than Feb deadline offer. Also, SA is crystal clear on 2025 draft order, which eliminates risk.

2026:
I’m not clear what happens here if we go into 2025-26 season and he’s still on the Kings, and how that looks for us. But I assume he at least gets moved by the trade deadline.


What did I miss?

[4lifecowboy]

I’m enjoying the back and forth discussion about Fox’s possible value in a Spurs deal. I imagine it’d be hefty and a bit uncomfortable for a lot of posters but would probably get done.

That said, people who expect him to actually wait until he’s a free agent in 2026 to come to the Spurs (and lose a ton of money in the process) are living in a dreamland. Fox and Klutch are not saying the things they are in a vacuum, everyone knows what it’s about - leverage. Fox wants to get paid and he wants a good spot for his future. He knows Spurs are interested and he’s pushing for a deal now, when it’s very likely that for both the Spurs and Sacramento the summer would be better timing. If the deal couldn’t be completed Fox’s list will easily grow and he’ll happily extend with another team before even thinking of becoming a free agent in 2026. Nobody seriously believes that, it’s just posturing.

The obstacle for the Spurs, should they decide to wait until the summer, is that there might be other teams willing to drive the price up. Houston could easily outbid the Spurs unless we land a top 4 pick. The timing is important for the Spurs and they may need to act quicker than it seems comfortable for them.

I think its the opposite, him making it public drives down the price, kinda like what Kawhi did when he stated he wanted to play in LA

[CGD]

The gossip about teams monitoring Keldon is also noteworthy. Probably trying to prop up his value, since the spurs are probably starting with a Keldon-centric offer.

[Dverde]

The gossip about teams monitoring Keldon is also noteworthy. Probably trying to prop up his value, since the spurs are probably starting with a Keldon-centric offer.

He does have a gold medal. I do think Keldon is capable of a bounce back year, he’s 3 point shot has been broken all year. I’d rather toss in Zollins or Tre if it’s a matter of salary filler.

[LeBowen]

Teams could be interested in Keldon as a bench piece they can have for cheap, not as a centerpiece in a trade for an all-star.
If there's a single offer with positive assets as a return, it has to be done before the deadline. Keldon has outlived his purpose with the Spurs.
He got paid, got a gold medal just because Pop was coaching, now it's time to go.

[vy65]

FWIW, supposedly Mike and Fox are close. They had dinner together after Mike was fired, and pictures surfaced on the net. Apparently Fox was pretty pissed at SAC for the heat being pinned on him for Mike's firing.

Also FWIW, that Damien Bartling guy (SAC reporter who was the first to suggest Fox could be traded) says that the Kings had deals for John Collins and Brandon Ingram done this summer, and Mike Brown said no because they were low IQ players. Damien says that SAC has too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to roster building (which aligns with them basically having two GMs and a pretty involved owner). I wonder if the "too many cooks" thing also applies to the Spurs (since we have RC, Pop and Wright).

Bring our boy home RC

[spurraider21]

tbh if they insisnt on castle, im making them take on zollins/branham and not giving more than 1 FRP, and im definitely not giving them best of 2025

[tim_duncan_fan]

Keldon can absolutely give a bad team a meaningless 23 ppg. Smart of them to start with him.

tbh if they insisnt on castle, im making them take on zollins/branham and not giving more than 1 FRP, and im definitely not giving them best of 2025

Exactly, Castle + multiple firsts is too much for a player that hasn't moved the needle historically.

[LeBowen]

tbh if they insisnt on castle, im making them take on zollins/branham and not giving more than 1 FRP, and im definitely not giving them best of 2025

As I wrote earlier, at this point Castle as an asset isn't even about Fox, but Wright's competence.
Cavs got Mitc with late FRPs and still kept their three most valuable players.
Knicks also kept their three most important players while getting KAT and Bridges in the process.
OKC got Caruso just for Giddey they were trying to get rid of, anyway. Didn't give up any of their key rotation players.

Competent GMs don't give up their most valuable assets in trades for disgruntled players.

[Leetonidas]

Is this guy a Spur yet? Hurry up

[Dverde]

Would getting Devin Carter back in exchange for Castle make it more doable for the Spurs? Spurs were rumored to be interested in him during the draft workouts.

[Leetonidas]

As I wrote earlier, at this point Castle as an asset isn't even about Fox, but Wright's competence.
Cavs got Mitc with late FRPs and still kept their three most valuable players.
Knicks also kept their three most important players while getting KAT and Bridges in the process.
OKC got Caruso just for Giddey they were trying to get rid of, anyway. Didn't give up any of their key rotation players.

Competent GMs don't give up their most valuable assets in trades for disgruntled players.

It depends on what SAC wants though. Cleveland and NY were able to offer pick heavy deals because Utah and Brooklyn are tanking. Sacramento has a dumb FO and they want to try and remain compe ive despite their ill fitting roster. so they may not be as interested in a pick heavy package. Which is why I'm hopeful they're stupid enough to take Vassell and Keldon off our hands

[spurraider21]

Fox seems like a 3 FRP player (not heavily protected picks). hes a very good but not elite player, about to get his 3rd contract. the spurs should value castle as 2 FRP right now. first round pedigree who half a season in clearly belongs and is already a meaningful contributor to a marginally compe ive team

[CGD]

He does have a gold medal. I do think Keldon is capable of a bounce back year, he’s 3 point shot has been broken all year. I’d rather toss in Zollins or Tre if it’s a matter of salary filler.

In a three way to the Bulls were Lavine goes to SAC and Fox to SA, i think Keldon + Tre's expiring to the Bulls offers us the best way to keep as much draft capital as possible. Not sure SAC will need much if any draft compensation in that deal given their decreasing leverage, and Lavine's trade market has been depressed for some time given his bad contract. SAC has also been linked to Lavine in the past.

Put differently, we would offer the Bulls:
1. Their pick back
2. immediate AND long term cap flexibility from a bad contract
3. a solid rotation player on a descending deal (plus Tre's Birds Rights)

[LeBowen]

It depends on what SAC wants though. Cleveland and NY were able to offer pick heavy deals because Utah and Brooklyn are tanking. Sacramento has a dumb FO and they want to try and remain compe ive despite their ill fitting roster. so they may not be as interested in a pick heavy package. Which is why I'm hopeful they're stupid enough to take Vassell and Keldon off our hands

Castle isn't a good fit with their roster if they're to keep competing.
They're 20th in 3pta and 22nd in 3pt%. Replace Fox with Castle and it gets way worse.

Cavs and NY offered their own picks that convey while they're projected to still be competing.
Jazz got 3 FRPS and 2 swaps from '25 to '29, Cavs should be one of top contenders in those years.
Nets got 4 FRPs from '25 to '31, that 20131 pick looks interesting, others not so much.

SAC getting their swap back gives them more options and I'd say that one of those ATL picks is more valuable than CLE or NYK late FRPs.
For example I suggested they could get Hunter and their '25 pick back with 2 ATL picks.

And as you said, let's just hope they're dumb. After all, we're talking a franchise that paid us to take a reliable wing so they can give 35 year old DDR a long-term deal.

[RC_Drunkford]

a lot of interesting inside information in this video from a Spurs reporter. Apparently the Spurs view Castle, Sochan, Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones as part of the core. Keldon especially cause of what he does off the floor. He's the locker room leader and he's very funny and everybody laughs with him. I can't with the apporach of this organization. How about valuing on court production?

Multiple people are also saying that Pop is back at the practice facility. The Spurs were also looking at the Bulls' fire sale.

[LeBowen]

a lot of interesting inside information in this video from a Spurs reporter. Apparently the Spurs view Castle, Sochan, Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones as part of the core. Keldon especially cause of what he does off the floor. He's the locker room leader and he's very funny and everybody laughs with him. I can't with the apporach of this organization. How about valuing on court production?

If this is true, forget about Fox, not even Jokic can help us.

[z0sa]

Is this guy a Spur yet? Hurry up

Apparently Kings owner wants to wine and dine Fox in hopes he'll stay or at least hold out for the best offers possible on Sunday.

Hoping Monday we have beautiful news

[Mal]

Hopefully this bull about Keldon being core is negotiation tactic

[Leetonidas]

a lot of interesting inside information in this video from a Spurs reporter. Apparently the Spurs view Castle, Sochan, Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones as part of the core. Keldon especially cause of what he does off the floor. He's the locker room leader and he's very funny and everybody laughs with him. I can't with the apporach of this organization. How about valuing on court production?

Multiple people are also saying that Pop is back at the practice facility. The Spurs were also looking at the Bulls' fire sale.

Good god... we're so ed I hope this is just nonsense and none of these dudes are actually plugged in because if PATFO really believes guys like Jones and Keldon are core players, Wemby is definitely not staying here forever

[Jordan Jackson]

a lot of interesting inside information in this video from a Spurs reporter. Apparently the Spurs view Castle, Sochan, Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones as part of the core. Keldon especially cause of what he does off the floor. He's the locker room leader and he's very funny and everybody laughs with him. I can't with the apporach of this organization. How about valuing on court production?

Multiple people are also saying that Pop is back at the practice facility. The Spurs were also looking at the Bulls' fire sale.

Sochan,Vassell, Jones, Johnson core lol

Spurs are such an unserious organization. What? They think they’re going to use the power of “Friendship” to win a championship.

Keldon makes them laugh? Great, because he makes anyone who likes winning cry.

[BatManu20]

[024]

The KJ buzz is interesting.. Spurs doing their job trying to raise his value. A KJ + Tre Jones + SA'25 + 2 more FRPs should be the opening offer. Then either throw in Sochan or 1 more FRP. Looking at the other teams who are interested, that's already more than what most teams can offer. Kings can flip Sochan later for another FRP if they don't want to keep him.

I think Sochan should be considered expendable as long as he still has trade value as I just don't see the greatest long term fit on the team. Vassell can be salvageable with his 3 pt shooting and he's on a decent role player salary as it decreases while the cap goes up. Having the ball more in Fox and Castle's hands should remove some of the decision-making Vassell has to make, which can be poor at times.

[LkrFan]

Keep Castle and both SA 25 and Atlanta 25

Offer Vassell. Johnson and Sochan and three number 1s. If Sac doesn't want it then walk away. Spurs should be in the drivers seat and get what they want to build the core of a dynasty.

I believe if the Spurs keep both their and Atlanta's 25 picks that is going to turn into a top 4 pick. I'm willing to take the odds on that. Those odds have a good chance to be 34% or higher.

Wemby, Fox, Castle, a number 4 pick in 25 and another top 10 pick in 25 is a core for a dynasty and also moves off Vassell, Sochan and Johnson.