The Sacramento Kings have made a seismic shift in their roster, trading away star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal involving the Chicago Bulls. This move marks the end of an era for the Kings and sets the stage for a new chapter in the franchise’s history.
In the trade, the Spurs receive Fox and Jordan McLaughlin from the Kings, while the Bulls acquire Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter. The Kings, in return, land Zach LaVine from the Bulls and Sidy Cissoko from the Spurs, along with a package of draft picks.
The draft compensation for the Kings includes three first-round picks: a 2025 Charlotte Hornets pick (top 14 protected), a 2027 San Antonio Spurs pick (unprotected), and a 2031 Minnesota Timberwolves pick (unprotected). Additionally, Sacramento receives three second-round picks in the deal.
This trade comes after a week of intense negotiations and speculation. The Spurs, who were initially lowballing the Kings, managed to acquire Fox without giving up any of their top young talents like Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sohan, or Keldon Johnson. This outcome is a testament to the leverage the Spurs had in the negotiations, likely due to Fox’s preference to play in San Antonio.
Zach LaVine: The New King in Sacramento
The centerpiece of the Kings’ return is Zach LaVine, a dynamic scorer who has been on Sacramento’s radar for years. LaVine brings a scoring punch similar to Fox, averaging 24 points per game this season with impressive shooting splits of 51% from the field and 44% from three-point range.
However, LaVine’s contract is substantial, with $43 million due next season and a player option for $48.9 million in 2026-2027. This financial commitment adds pressure to the Kings’ front office to ensure the team’s success in the coming seasons.
The Kings’ new projected starting lineup features Malik Monk at point guard, LaVine at shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan at small forward, Keegan Murray at power forward, and Domantas Sabonis at center. While this lineup boasts offensive firepower, there are concerns about its defensive capabilities.
For more insights and a deeper dive into this blockbuster trade, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
• Analysis of draft picks received in the trade
• Sidy Suzoko’s potential role with the Kings
• Front office evaluation and future moves