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

[DPG21920]

lavine was traded to the bulls, who then gave him a 4/80 contract, and he became an all-star during the last 2 years of that deal. that was a success. then they gave him the big 5/200 extension and injuries have taken a toll. i dont see that one as a failure. he's been there for 8 years now

It’s a failure in that the big deal (like Fox will get) became prohibitive for CHI and could very well be same for SA (trade assets for Fox, sign him to a massive extension and then he sort of under delivers).

[baseline bum]

Maybe, but you’ve likely burned 3-4 of your best assets that could have been used more cleanly in that deal and make it much much tougher (look at Lavine etc..)

Why are you making the ridiculous assumption that Fox at max becomes a toxic deal?

[scott]

Well then theres Lavine…you get Fox falling off a cliff and now on a 50M a year deal and it can really be an issue *potentially* as well. It’s not nothing IMO

Why do you believe Fox would fall off a cliff? What reason is there to believe this would happen? Whatever risk of this happening that does exist, it exists with all other players, including Luka, Ant, etc.

If that's what you are afraid of, that's just scared money talking and scared money don't make money.

[DPG21920]

Why are you making the ridiculous assumption that Fox at max becomes a toxic deal?

Im not - Im saying I think theres some risk he does, especially when the cost of Fox goes beyond just his salary (because you gave up Castle + multiple picks)

[spurraider21]

It’s a failure in that the big deal (like Fox will get) became prohibitive for CHI and could very well be same for SA (trade assets for Fox, sign him to a massive extension and then he sort of under delivers).

chicago traded jimmy butler for lavine and the draft righs of markkanen.

lavine's injuries stalled his career. that could happen to anybody, but he had warning signs going back to minny. fox doesnt really have that. there are now reports of him having some hand ligament issue, but nothing that seems like it would be chronic or career altering

[DPG21920]

Why do you believe Fox would fall off a cliff? What reason is there to believe this would happen? Whatever risk of this happening that does exist, it exists with all other players, including Luka, Ant, etc.

If that's what you are afraid of, that's just scared money talking and scared money don't make money.

He’s 27, rumors of some injuries and his shot isnt consistent so any fall off in athleticism as he approaches 30 (end of his deal) seems like a valid concern.

[DPG21920]

chicago traded jimmy butler for lavine and the draft righs of markkanen.

Sure - but Im talking about what happens when you give fringe all starts 200M deals and they have not really proven they are “winners” in the sense of the word. Spurs would have greater risk because they would be paying Fox AND giving up assets to do so (unlike CHI with Lavine)

[LeBowen]

Still - this was all basketball and you just seem so, so angry. If nothings wrong that’s great.

Your follow-up post is exactly the reason why I think you're completely delusional.
Box score watcher or whatever.

Not sure - would need to see his next two years and how it goes. But his teams are consistently doing better than Fox led teams.

20-21 season, 5-4 without Morant.
21-22 season, 20-4 without Morant.
22-23 season, 11-10 without Morant.
24-25 season, 12-7 without Morant.

I excluded 23-24 season for obvious reasons, they had too many injuries.
Even if you include it, they're still close to .500 without Morant.

So much for him being better than Fox and not just having way better rosters around him.

[SpursBills]

Not sure - would need to see his next two years and how it goes. But his teams are consistently doing better than Fox led teams.

I can’t do it on my phone for some reason, but can someone post a graphic of darko historical dpm comparing fox, ja, and Trae young sorted by age? scott, if you have some time on your hands. My point here is that award designations like ‘all star’ don’t necessarily catch the magnitude of a players impact, and even team success is often a function of quality of roster construction.

[baseline bum]

JFC sbnation going in on Sac with no vaseline

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/1/...-rockets-spurs

[DPG21920]

Your follow-up post is exactly the reason why I think you're completely delusional.
Box score watcher or whatever.



20-21 season, 5-4 without Morant.
21-22 season, 20-4 without Morant.
22-23 season, 11-10 without Morant.
24-25 season, 12-7 without Morant.

I excluded 23-24 season for obvious reasons, they had too many injuries.
Even if you include it, they're still above .500 without Morant.

So much for him being better than Fox and not just having way better rosters around him.

Arguable. Sabonis all star. DeRozan all star. Good shooting etc….I didnt say I would treat Ja any differently either; I said the age gap makes it so and if hypothetically you asked me about Ja 2 years from now I said I’d need to see how he develops. How is that unreasonable?

[LeBowen]

Also, noone mentions defense.
Fox isn't an all-NBA defender, but he's got great lateral movements, doesn't get lost and is one of the best passing lane interceptors due to his wingspan and quickness.

The likes of Trae, Lavine or Morant are just horrible defensively. There's a bigger gap between them and Fox than between Fox and elite defenders like Jrue or Derrick.
Not to mention how difficult it is to play defense with Sabonis and Trey Lyles as your bigs.

[DPG21920]

I can’t do it on my phone for some reason, but can someone post a graphic of darko historical dpm comparing fox, ja, and Trae young sorted by age? scott, if you have some time on your hands. My point here is that award designations like ‘all star’ don’t necessarily catch the magnitude of a players impact, and even team success is often a function of quality of roster construction.

Im not saying it does. You can be a winner (Derrick White) and never be an all star. Im just talking about the types of guys that come available, how those accolades shape both price and narrative etc..

[DPG21920]

JFC sbnation going in on Sac with no vaseline

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/1/...-rockets-spurs

Easy yes if that’s the cost IMO and it’s what I suggested originally. Dont think Kings will be happy or take it but based on leverage and Fox pressing hard like Kawhi may end up best they get.

[scott]

He’s 27, rumors of some injuries and his shot isnt consistent so any fall off in athleticism as he approaches 30 (end of his deal) seems like a valid concern.

Age and the possibility of injury affecting a player are potential concerns of any player. It's not like Fox is injury prone (certainly has far less of an injury history and certainly takes better care of his body than Luka).

If you're afraid of injuries and age, then it's going to hold you up from ever getting anyone other than draft picks and young FAs. That's one way to build, but buckle up because it might be a long ride.

[baseline bum]

Easy yes if that’s the cost IMO and it’s what I suggested originally. Dont think Kings will be happy or take it but based on leverage and Fox pressing hard like Kawhi may end up best they get.

One of their other trades is Fox+Huerter for Beal

[LeBowen]

Arguable. Sabonis all star. DeRozan all star. Good shooting etc….I didnt say I would treat Ja any differently either; I said the age gap makes it so and if hypothetically you asked me about Ja 2 years from now I said I’d need to see how he develops. How is that unreasonable?

Sabonis and Derozan are great except for two most important things in modern NBA - 3pt shooting and defense.

[Leetonidas]

JFC sbnation going in on Sac with no vaseline

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/1/...-rockets-spurs

The Kings should be demoted to the G league if they were to accept this offer straight up highway robbery

[DPG21920]

Age and the possibility of injury affecting a player are potential concerns of any player. It's not like Fox is injury prone (certainly has far less of an injury history and certainly takes better care of his body than Luka).

If you're afraid of injuries and age, then it's going to hold you up from ever getting anyone other than draft picks and young FAs. That's one way to build, but buckle up because it might be a long ride.

Difference in guys who can shoot and do other things vs rely on speed though IMO

[DPG21920]

One of their other trades is Fox+Huerter for Beal

OOF lol

Again, I would be very happy with Fox. I just dont want SA to overpay for so many reasons (leverage, risk, opportunity costs etc.)

[Seventyniner]

The Kings should be demoted to the G league if they were to accept this offer straight up highway robbery

David Stern would rise from the grave and block the trade for basketball reasons.

[DPG21920]

Sabonis and Derozan are great except for two most important things in modern NBA - 3pt shooting and defense.

Sure - I dont love Kings build and that’s no Fox fault. But they have lots of shooting. More than Spurs would have with Fox right?

[LeBowen]

OOF lol

Again, I would be very happy with Fox. I just dont want SA to overpay for so many reasons (leverage, risk, opportunity costs etc.)

Noone wants Fox at any cost.
Most of us are saying Castle is off limits.

It's just that people overvalue picks that aren't top5, just look at our draft history before we got Wemby, 3 lottery picks included.

Devin + swap return + 3 FRPs is a fair offer for someone asking out.
Can't compare it with let's say Bridges trade because Knicks gave away 4 FRPs that will be in late 20s, Hawks picks should be late lottery.

[scott]

I can’t do it on my phone for some reason, but can someone post a graphic of darko historical dpm comparing fox, ja, and Trae young sorted by age? scott, if you have some time on your hands. My point here is that award designations like ‘all star’ don’t necessarily catch the magnitude of a players impact, and even team success is often a function of quality of roster construction.

I got you fam. I think part of what is happening here is that a lot of folks are just unfamiliar with Fox's game. That's understandable, homie plays in ing Sacramento - none of us should be forced to follow the Kangz.

But... iykyk, De'Aaron is better than these other guys.

[Blizzardwizard]

I think this will drag out to the offseason. Kings are probably just testing the market. In free agency the Rockets should be making a more significant offer to up the price, but who knows.

If they have been told by player and agent that he will not be staying in Sacramento long-term they have little choice but to move Fox now.


He's a depreciating asset worth less to the Kings with every trade window they don't move him.


They'd also run the risk of Fox suffering a serious injury before the offseason and effectively becoming worthless to them.