As the NBA trade season picks up, rumors of blockbuster moves are circulating. One name that has come up is the Sacramento Kings' star guard, De'Aaron Fox.
With the Kings being a struggling team in a crowded Western Conference, the speculation grows that Fox might be looking for a new team especially since coach Mike Brown's recent firing was still controversial. Could the Los Angeles Lakers make a play for the dynamic guard?
De'Aaron Fox: A Star Seeking New Family
De'Aaron Fox was a shining star for the Kings this season, racking up 26.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game on average. However, Sacramento still couldn't win, and a five-game losing streak has taken them out of the playoff picture. One year remains on Fox's contract after this season, making the topic of his future plenty sensational.
If Fox says he is not signing an extension or resigning, Sacramento should trade him for his best value. The contract that pays $34.8 million this season and $37.1 million next is a steal for what he brings on the court, so teams contending should be all over him.
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De'Aaron Fox's Interest in Lakers
According to ESPN's Tim McMahon, the Lakers are among the teams that reportedly have interest in Fox. Adding the star guard would bolster their playoff hopes and pair him with LeBron James and Anthony Davis for a formidable trio. Acquiring Fox won't be easy.
"If he does ask out, San Antonio and Houston—keep an eye on those two. I've heard Lakers, but it's hard for me to tell how much of that is just people jumping to conclusions because he's a Klutch client. And then I've heard Miami with the Bam [Adebayo] connection there."
The Lakers have a lot of barriers in making a trade. Sacramento has a history with Los Angeles, and it's unlikely that they would make a trade with them. The Lakers also have few trade assets.
In order to match salaries, they would have to give D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, along with their two tradeable first-round picks. This package might not be enough to convince the Kings unless Fox specifically wants to go to L.A.
The Sacramento Situation: A Ticking Clock
The decision of the Kings is dependent on Fox's intentions. If he wants to go to the Lakers, then Sacramento's bargaining power will reduce, and a deal can be possible. Until then, the Kings will probably look at other offers from teams with better trade packages.
While trade rumors dominated the headlines, the Lakers had plenty to celebrate on Christmas Day. Rui Hachimura stepped up in Anthony Davis' absence in a thrilling road victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Hachimura played big minutes at center, scoring 18 points on an efficient 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. After the game, Hachimura said he was thankful to play on Christmas and highlighted that the win was crucial for the team, even though it meant missing time with family during the holiday season.
With Brown's firing, the Kings need to make a miracle to improve their record.
In our previous NBA trade rumors report, we speculated that Jimmy Butler could be what the Lakers are looking for. However, this rumor has been debunked already with Pat Riley's latest statement, saying that the Heat won't trade Buckets.
For our recent trade rumors article, Zion Williamson might be traded by the New Orleans Pelicans before the deadline.
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