Welcome back to the mailbag!
It’s that time of year again! With the trade deadline right around the corner, Will and I are hosting our annual trade proposal mailbag. Any reasonable, semi-realistic trade proposal posted in the comments, with a corresponding trade machine “this will work money-wise” validation, will receive feedback from your favorite mailbag hosts. It could be a John Collins trade! It could be a Cam Johnson trade! It could be a Jimmy Butler trade! It could be an Andrew Wiggins trade! It could be a De’Aaron Fox trade! It could be a Jason Terry trade! It could be a Dewayne Dedmon trade! It could be…okay, you get the point.
Again, the ground rules
- The trade must be reasonable (no Len for Giannis deals).
- The trade must be validated by any one of the trade machines out there (Personally, I prefer FanSpo’s trade machine), and include a screenshot or link.
- Don’t just post a link to a trade. Include the details in your post.
- The trade must be four teams or fewer. I’m not trying to do extra work out here.
- The trade must be submitted by January 29th.
Now, get to trading, so we can get to answering!
Let’s get crazy.
Demar gets dealt to our arch nemesis
Bronny makes this deal for me.
Fox is gone. Here comes the youth brigade.
Warriors are so sick of Wiggins they dump him for table scraps.
These trade machines don’t have a bag of chips, so I can’t trade Huerter!
OK, here’s a Fox deal that I’d be OK with –
Jaylen Brown for Fox and Huerter.
Realistic? Probably not. As likely as 99% of the other trade ideas that will be posted here? Absolutely.
Fox to the Heat for Herro,Jovic and Ware.
plus 2 firsts.
Huerter, Lyles, Colby Jones and an unprotected first for Cam Johnson and Day Ron Sharpe.
no
Kings add size and stretch 4. Gamble that Keegan has a low ceiling.
Fun fact. Naz Reid only a year older than Keegan.
I would do almost all of these.
The Zion one would make me the most nervous but might have the biggest upside, boom or bust.
I would love the Houston trade, Fox for Brooks, Sheppard, Thompson. No way I think Houston would do that though.
Huerter and a future first for Herb Jones plus filler
Let’s get real crazy
Kings give up Monk as a trade piece to open up the log Jam at Guard moving.
In this scenario they start
Fox/DDR/Butler/Murray/Domas
Bench unit is Keon/Camara/Carter
I don’t know that Monk today is better than Butler, but I don’t trade Monk to get Butler. He’s too important to our chemistry.
At this point chemistry be damned.
We either want to win, or we don’t.
And Butler is 100% better than Monk, today and tomorrow.
I love Monk as a King, but we are trying to win with this team.
Huerter, unprotected first and second for Robert williams and toumani camara. Waive Colby or Isaac Jones.
Demar, Huerter, and unprotected first for MPJ and Zeke Nnaji.
How do you post an image? I have the fanspo trade snapshot on my phone, but I don’t know how to post the two trades.
In the comment box on TKH, the bottom there is an icon that looks like a mountain (at least to me). Click that and choose your file.
Thanks hobby. No point in posting those trades now. Saw the sam amick and Damian barling news that fox might not be long for the team.
Trading Fox doesn’t stop Huerter from being traded as well.
Fox, Huerter, Len, Colby Jones for Zion,Missi,Herb jones, and Jordan Hawkins
Collins and a flyer on Sensabaugh. If Collins declines his player option, they can re-sign him to an extension in the offseason, or let the money fall off the books.
Huerter for Z. Collins and a 2nd round pick. Kings add some size while keeping Lyles around as well.
But we’re so close to finally getting rid of all our 2nd round picks!!
I like this one, means Spurs probably say no.
The thinking is that the Spurs can get Huerter’s shot right, and they need the spacing badly.
Kings take on Zach, who is out of their rotation, and give us 2nd round for that.
The John Salmons memorial Bring ’em back for another run trade.
Haha!
how in the hell does Richaun Holmes make more than Bagley and Buddy?
I just puked
Have you sat in the front row at a Kings game?
We found Puke Guy!!!
My work here is done!
I wish I could afford that
Legitimate lol on that one. GS would be so happy…
Oh look! It’s the hill I want to die on!
Brandon Ingram as our sixth big piece does it for me.
The trade above also works with McCollum instead of Murray depending on what the Pelicans want to play ball with.
There was also one for the Bulls, but Beal said he’ll say no to a trade that sends him to a losing team in a cold place so I have one that sends him to Portland!
If not, I’d love to package Kevin Heurter for a pair of smaller pieces. My ideal is to Washington for Jonas and Bey. Others that might work include:
Shams just reported that the Kings are lining up potential Fox suitors before the deadline. What are your most realistic and best trade the Kings may look to seek?
Apparently it’s reported that Fox has destinations in mind. What might those be?
Interesting. If the team knows that Fox has destinations in mind, it probably means he’s already had discussions with Monte about leaving.
Shams reported it in the same statement so I’m assuming Fox is in the discussion.
Gotta be Houston, right?
I don’t believe that Fox has any interest in what many view as him “going home.” Playing with Wemby, however…
100% i can see him playing for Pop in Texas. They also have the picks and players to make it work.
I should add that Fox does not have a no trade clause that I am aware of, and only has a year after this one on his current contract. So the Kings are under no obligation to send him to his preferred destination(s) if there is a better deal somewhere else.
My problem with any prospects/picks trade is that the Kings have historically “earned” horrifically bad grades for both player development and draft acumen. So for me, anything less than an non-30ish all-star level player coming back in return does not really excite me.
We don’t have Presti. We have Vesty.
And 1 – This, of course, does not stop Klutch from sending out warnings to potential suitors that Fox will not re-sign there, which will diminish the market and his trade value.
Yup, just posted the same thing. Worst case scenario is Fox just waits things out and enters UFA. Monte may have to sell for pennies on the dollar the longer this goes.
wouldn’t the right destination help fox hit the all nba team so he qualifies for a supermax?
He can only qualify for it as a member of the Kings.
So is this “destinations in mind” regarding a trade or free agency?
If he is hinting at hitting free agency in the summer of 2026 and has “destinations in mind” for then, do the Kings look to move him now or wait until summer?
Basically when would be the most valuable return if they chose to move him before he possibly walk in free agency?
Id move him now and get max return. The team has shown they can perform without him on the court. Get picks and young player
A playoff/win-now team would pay more now, to get the 2nd playoff run with Fox before he hits free agency. Houston and San Antonio aren’t those teams.
But is no when you can get a max return, or would be be around the draft, or even summer?
I mean, teams would have a lot more cap space come summer and could absorb a Fox deal without having to send contracts back in return. Perhaps that would be more appealing to Monte?
Update: one of his preferred locations is San Antonio.
Each passing day as we approach the trade deadline makes me more nervous that Monte will again sit on his hands. Perhaps he just doesn’t have enough assets to trade, as a result of his own mismanagement over the years.
With that in mind, here’s my trade suggestion: MAKE ONE!
I believe the team should exhaust all options to build the right team around Fox and not just throw it in. There is NO Guarantee the Kings front office even drafts right to begin the rebuild.
It looks like they may end up building around Sabonis, but your concern is valid.
Does that include trading Sabonis and/or Monk or are you thinking of trades involving players like Keon, Keegan, and Carter? Obviously, we know Huerter and Lyles are on the block already.
Looks like Fox wants to throw it in….
Very true.
Shams reporting that Kings are going to explore trade of Fox before the trade deadline.
Which will pause any Collins or Johnson deal, and when the deadline comes and goes we will have what we already have, with the excuse being that there was a deal in place but it just couldn’t be executed.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Very very possible.
If no deals happen this deadline, I could be open to the idea of Fox sitting to get surgery and maybe an attempt to keep the FRP we owe to the Hawks.
I’m not particularly bothered by any of the options the Kings have before them, even if Fox decides he wants to force a trade. It’s not hard to imagine dealing Fox this offseason and being a better team in 2025/26 with Monk, a more seasoned Keon / Carter, a legit PF and/or backup C, and an additional pick or two.
I honestly have no expectation that the Kings will make the playoffs as currently constructed, much less win in the first round, even considering possible trades based on moving Huerter and Lyles.
I think they could sneak into the playoffs, but I’m not banking on them making much noise there.
I would’ve said the same thing about this time last season regarding Dallas. For what that’s worth.
Yeah, the players and Christie aren’t going to stop playing / coaching. And Fox would probably have no interest in improving the Kings chances of securing a pick that he won’t benefit from.
Understood, but if he’s the one forcing a trade, what’s in it for him to try to hit the 65 game threshold? He can’t get a super max in that scenario. Might as well get a jumpstart on being ready to begin 2025-26 at his preferred destination instead of starting the season with a new team while rediscovering his shot on a surgically altered hand.
Valid.
That also took adding a new starting PF. I’m not sure who the Kings replace in the staring 5 that could have that kind of impact without moving one of the starting 5.
So like a John Collins could allow us to make some noise
Who’s minutes is he going to take? As the current backup 4/5 Lyles is playing 20 MPG. Is Monte going to want to pay Collins his contract to come off of the bench?
4&5 have 96 minutes – That’s 32 a piece, and/or play some Keeg at the 3.
Wow I guess it was set in motion the moment Klutch spoke to Monte. Hope it works out for all sides. Godspeed and Go Kings
This is what I believe, too. Personally, I don’t feel like they need to act with a sense of urgency around trading Fox now, though. Could just as easily happen this summer.
Expect this to be the daily fodder for the next 9 days.
Oh well. I guess there is always the chance that it will work out for the best. Or that Vivek/Matina will Kangz it up.
Fox apparently has a destination in mind. Local Houston radio is very active with rumors that Amen Thompson may be the bait.
If Amen Thompson is available in any possible Fox deal, color me very intrigued. That kid is going to be special. I would think Amen is completely off of the table.
Same here. Doesn’t seem like a Monte type though (athletic, not a great shooter, young).
Amen would fit right in with the Christie-ans!
And our Monk
If we could can get Amen Thompson and some other minor pieces for Fox, I will pack Fox’s bags and drive him to the airport. That’s the type of move that could completely remake this roster.
SAME and I will carry his bags to the runway
Thompson locked Fox down when they played recently
Which allowed DDR and Monk to roam more freely. Just remember that once Fox is gone. We saw it in the GS game as well. Keon Ellis is not going to draw that level of attention. The offense will suffer for Fox’s absence.
I guess it would depend on who comes back in trade for Fox. If it’s a someone who opponents have to respect from three, that could open things up more for DDR and Monk.
I think this is true but I think the Kings HAVE to make a change to the starting lineup regardless of what happens moving forward because it has one of the worst net ratings of any 5 man unit on the roster. The Fox/Monk/DDR backcourt just doesn’t really work. Fox and DDR don’t shoot well enough to threaten the defense nor do they play defense well enough to stop teams on the other end.
So they may lose some offense but gain defense on the other end. How that translates to the bench units is another story but if they get the right pieces back, I could easily see them being a better, more complete team and roster even if they lose Fox’s high end one on one scoring ability.
I don’t worry about the offense, there are many ways to score and generate points. In the modern NBA with the current rules scoring is the easy part.
Defending, getting stops and rebounding is the hard part.
Fox is not a good team defender, he is too undisciplined and does not pay attention to his off ball positioning and his effort is hit or miss. I think the combo of Fox, Monk and DDR in the starting lineup does not work; too much offense and not enough defense and explains many of the bad starts to games.
The most recent, most impressive wins for me have come without Fox.
Get on it Vesty
And they could throw in Tari Eason or one of their firsts next year and see if we could get John Collins for utah
JUST IN: The Sacramento Kings are expected to open up talks to potentially deal All-Star De’Aaron Fox ahead of Feb. 6 trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. There will be plenty of suitors, but it’s believed that Fox has a target destination in mind ahead of 2026 free agency.
San Antonio is another speculated destination. All radio talk speculation.
You know which team needs an offensive minded point guard and has a bunch of defensive wings/bigs to put in trade talks?
Orlando.
If the Kings could find a way to get Franz for Fox, that would really be something. Anyone but Isaac.
I keep thinking that too. Franz for Fox has some similar vibes as Richmond for Webber. Kings get younger, longer and and more defensive. Franz can slot in right between Keegan and Sabonis.
Franz and Suggs have the Poison Pill contract, which makes a trade…interesting on Fanspo
Yeah, I was just messing with that. No sure how that works.
Probably have to rope a third team in with cap space. Maybe Detroit can find something in the deal?
I thought about Wagner too.. but would need a guard or draft pick
I think the Kings have plenty of guards and really don’t need to get one back in return.
Good point.. the best part would be watching Inthestarz go nuts because he swore up and down Wagner would be a bad pick.. the only issue I with our guards is that only monk provides consistent scoring…
You all need to be specific or they’ll Kangz it up!!!
That would be as Kangzy as you can get
I’d be totally open to trading Fox for Wagner. Whatever they do, they have to get some wing size back!
This is the destination I was dreaming about this summer, before Franz took another leap. Franz + Suggs drool.
Fox for Hali would be hilarious
This will limit the trade landscape. If Fox is unwilling to sign an extension except for a few places, the Kings have limited options. This feels a bit like Carmelo and Denver.
Which to be fair, worked out pretty well for Denver.
All about the assets possessed by the preferred team though.
Ham reports the preferred destination is San Antonio.
OK, so we know it’s not San Antonio.

Both San Antonio and Houston have a ton of assets I’d be happy to move Fox for.
That they do, but I’d still prefer to move him East. Brooklyn has a lot of nice assets as well, they just played there last night, and now the news broke. You never know…
Yeah I mean trading Fox for Cam Johnson and a bunch of picks wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
Even getting one or two of those Knicks picks from the Bridges trade could help grease things. They might be contender-ish now, but I don’t see their window being open very long.
Yep I agree. They don’t have a young team and Thibs tends to burn his guys out sooner rather than later.
Cam and Clowney would have to ben included, IMO.
Cam, Clowney, Sharpe and sprinkle in some picks works in the trade machine.
no
I think which picks are coming back would be important but that’s not a terrible package. I really like Clowney and think he’s an underrated asset.
I’ve been saying all season that the Kings should absolutely explore trading Fox because the roster doesn’t fit very well at all as currently constructed.
I think a couple things have happened. Derozan scores from many of the same spots on the floor as Fox making it really difficult for both of them to play well together at the same time. Neither guy is an efficient three point shooter so it makes it really difficult for those starting lineups to be successful. Monk moving into the starting lineup actually presents a better playmaker and pick and roll partner (he’s not a better player but he IS a better playmaker) for Sabonis than Fox does. Fox is also going to require a max contract that I’m not totally sure he’s worth and he’s got more value than anybody else we could move.
Setting all that aside, this team is stuck in mediocrity at the current moment, their record post Mike Brown firing aside. If Sabonis and Fox are your two best players, who are you realistically beating in the playoffs? They’ve already been surpassed by the Rockets, Grizz, Thunder and Mavs. So what’s the upside? I think taking a huge swing by moving Fox and trying to get assets from Houston or San Antonio who have a ton of appealing young players and picks is a better long term move IF (and that’s a big if) the Kings can pull off a good deal. I think Amen Thompson would be my number 1 target if I were the Kings but there are a lot of guys I’d gladly take off either of those squads.
Do it! Apparently 11-4 with Christie doesn’t count as winning, like Fox wanted.
I’d want Sochan in any return with the Spurs. I get a younger version of Aaron Gordon vibes from him. He’s the kind of wing the Kings need.
He is just such a poor 3pt shooter, and this team has poor shooting already. Castle isn’t much better, lol.
At least Sochan would bring some size and defense.
Fox is a career 33.3% 3P shooter (32.5% this season). The team is shooting 35% on the season. At Fox’s volume, he’s a big cause of the team’s 3P shooting issues.
I think as soon as it became more clear that Fox most likely won’t be making an All NBA team, the writing was on the wall. And I get it. Why would any player want to be here? The Kings are still a clown show by NBA standards even if it’s a little better now that it used to be. I think in the NBA community everyone knows Vivek is a terrible owner who is an iron weight around the organizations neck.
Yeah, if he’s come to the realization that ALL-NBA is out the window he and his camp probably are justified in looking for a way out and fresh start.
TKE staff. Quick, change the headline!
Quick survey: Scale of 1-10, 10 being best, how confident are you in the Kings front office to make a good deal? Or even a deal?
Put me down for -2.
If Fox does indeed have “preferred destinations,” then Monte is already backed into a corner. I guess it comes down to who the destinations are and how many of them them there are. Until then…I’ll go with a 3.
Kill two preferred destinations with one stone
D’oh! You already said what I just said but better.
I’ll see your bid and raise you -4. The only thing worse than seeing the Kings trade the heart of the team would be seeing them trade him for a terrible return. Which makes it quite likely.
Can’t wait for the, We could have gotten more a month ago speech.