NBA Trade Rumors: Kings star who declined $165 million extension reportedly targeted by rival executives
The 2024-25 NBA season has not turned out to be great for the Sacramento Kings so far. The Kings, who added All-Star DeMar DeRozan in the offseason, are currently sitting at 9-12, good for the 12th seed in what has been a closely-contested Western Conference.
With the Kings’ current perfromance, rumors surrounding the team’s star guard De’Aaron Fox have been getting louder. According to Hardwood Paroxysm on X, rival executives have been monitoring Fox’s situation in Sacramento as he remains non-committal about an extension.
“Last month, De’Aaron Fox turned down a $165 million extension. The assumption was that this was about next summer's financial opportunity for Fox and nothing to worry about. Other executives aren’t so sure, and they’re ready to pounce."
With only one season left on his contract, Fox reportedly declined the Kings’ $165 million contract extension. According to the same post, Fox’s contract situation could get complex as he's putting up career numbers.
“One thing that would likely change this conversation immediately is if Fox secured an All-NBA selection and opened up the supermax for him to re-sign. That’s absolutely on the table for a player averaging 28-5-6 with room to improve his efficiency. If he doesn’t, however, and the Kings’ season goes sideways, things are going to get hot. Fox is represented by Klutch Sports, which means there’s always drama around the corner."
Fox is putting up 27.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists for the Kings. He is shooting 49.3% from the field, including 34.1% from three.
The Kings picked Fox in the 2017 NBA draft and have since turned him into the franchise’s cornerstone after the departure of former team star DeMarcus Cousins.
De’Aaron Fox makes it clear that he wants to contend in the West
Before the NBA season started, Fox made it known that he wanted to contend in the Western Conference in his final contract year.
“Obviously, the way that the West is going, we have to continue to get better as players and as a team, as an organization,” he said in an interview with The Athletic.
“And, I mean, I’m not saying I’m not staying or that I am staying. But I would love to be here, and I want to make sure that we’re competing at a high level.”
The farthest the Kings have gone under Fox is the first round, losing to the Golden State Warriors in the 2023 playoffs. Last year, the Kings failed to reach the playoffs after crashing out in the second game of the play-in tournament.