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De’Aaron Fox traded to the Spurs in three team deal that brings back Zach LaVine

De'Aaron Fox's time with the Sacramento Kings has come to an end.
By | 426 Comments | Feb 2, 2025

Mar 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) and Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) talk after the game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Per multiple reports, the Kings, Bulls and Spurs are finalizing a three team deal to send De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio and Zach LaVine to Sacramento.  Shams Charania was the first to officially put out word of the trade and the full details are as follows:

Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first round picks (2025 CHA, 2027 SAS, 2031 MIN), three second round picks (2025 CHI, 2028 DEN, 2028 Kings pick back)
Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
Bulls: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, their own 2025 1st round pick back

It should be noted that the Charlotte first rounder the Kings received is protected 1-14, which means it very likely will not convey (Charlotte currently has the 4th worst record) and the Hornets will instead send us their 2026 and 2027 2nd round picks instead.  As far as we are currently aware, there are no protections on the 2027 or 2031 picks that Sacramento received.

For the Kings and LaVine, this is a union long in the making as the Kings once signed him to an offer sheet 7 years ago only for the Chicago Bulls to match it.  It will also be a reunion between LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who spent the last three seasons together in Chicago.  LaVine is currently averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists a game and is  under contract for two more seasons totaling about $95 million after this one.

But the bigger deal is the end of the De’Aaron Fox era, which seemingly came out of nowhere after news broke in the last week that the Kings were preparing to trade him, with San Antonio being the likely destination.  Fox leaves Sacramento as one of the greatest to ever put on a Kings jersey, the Sacramento-era franchise leader in both assists and steals while up near the top in every other statistical category.  Drafted 5th overall in 2017, Fox became a homegrown All-Star and All-NBA player in Sacramento and helped the franchise end a 16 year playoff drought.  This is a sad ending for a player many thought was headed for greatness, especially just two short years ago when it seemed that Sacramento’s trajectory was on the way up.  Instead, now he will pair up with a superstar big man in Victor Wembanyama in his home state of Texas.

The Kings possibly aren’t done retooling their roster either.  Trading Fox for LaVine doesn’t solve Sacramento’s defensive or size issues, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Kings swing some of the assets they’ve just acquired into another move or two before the deadline on Thursday.  We’ll have more analysis on this trade and any others the Kings make over the coming days.

 

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GhostMalone
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February 2, 2025 5:41 pm

Best of luck to Fox and his family in SA. A classy young man that played an instrumental part in making the Kings fun again (for a while). I hope him and Wemby win a ring together.

NOT that excited about Zach LaVine.

RattleSeattle96
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February 2, 2025 7:02 pm
Reply to  GhostMalone

I hope he wins nothing. All that talk about loyalty and promises to the fans was all fake.

rory
February 2, 2025 8:34 pm

I don’t blame him one bit for getting tired of waiting for this FO to get it together.

RPO
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RPO
February 2, 2025 7:19 pm
Reply to  GhostMalone

I hope Fox and Wemby win multiple rings together. For one thing, I love Fox, and for another that will help keep the L*kers from capitalizing on their apparent unfair favored status from the league high brass.

RPO
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RPO
February 2, 2025 7:19 pm
Reply to  RPO

Oh, and totally agree about LaVine. Big fat Zzzzzz… snore.

GreatSuccess
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February 3, 2025 8:29 am
Reply to  RPO

LaVine was the best player on the floor in our game in Chicago a few weeks ago. He couldn’t miss, only the magic dust coming off the aura of Doug Christie allowed us to win that one.

If that’s the LeVine we’re getting, I’m in.

Last edited 14 days ago by GreatSuccess
discocricket
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February 2, 2025 5:41 pm

What’s the draft component here?

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:43 pm
Reply to  discocricket

3 FRPs from what I’ve seen.

BestHyperboleEver
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February 2, 2025 5:54 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

In reality 2, and 5 2nds.

vestxpress
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February 2, 2025 5:58 pm

this all we get for a taking back a high usage chucker!

MidtownMike
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February 2, 2025 6:49 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

Check the stats, that isn’t lavine homie, that’s what we sent out lol

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
February 2, 2025 6:52 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

Seriously, for anyone claiming LaVine is a high usage chucker, they need to compare those stats to Fox.

I’m not saying LaVine is better, but that kind of hyperbole is just not accurate.

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 6:55 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I will say it. Lavine is far more efficient offensively.

BuiltToSpill
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February 2, 2025 9:18 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

bingo. And I loved me some Fox.

Watty4ever
February 3, 2025 5:16 am
Reply to  BuiltToSpill

Only path for this team is to outscore folks and Lavine is extremely efficient — the 45% on 3PFG isn’t going to hurt when compared to Fox’s 32%. It is what it is — Kings were a 45-win team with Fox in the saddle, not worth $60MM per year

aplumley
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February 3, 2025 8:01 am
Reply to  vestxpress

High usage chucker is a bit harsh. He’s a much more efficient offensive player than Fox. The Kings may have gotten the better player out of the deal and certainly a better roster fit as Fox and Monk had become somewhat redundant. The main concerns with Lavine are durability and that he’s a couple of years older than Fox…and cost. It’s a gamble, but people around here have been complaining McNair doesn’t try to make big moves. He’s now made two (Sabonis, which I think the Kings won), and now this. We’ll see how it turns out. Sad to see Fox go, but I’m not doom and gloom on this one.

Watty4ever
February 3, 2025 8:59 am
Reply to  aplumley

Yeah, not sure why peeps are upset. Monk is the value play and we also dumped Huerter, so we ship out $53M of salary to add a true SG who scores the same as Fox on less volume = equally good or better starting 5 for 2.5 years with a decent bench group led by Ellis, Lyles and Carter. Add a big man who can play D and the team can compete nightly. See how that team looks over next 35 games.

GreatSuccess
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February 3, 2025 1:11 pm
Reply to  Watty4ever

Spin-off conversation: Is Carter a rotation player? From what I’ve seen, he’s above average for rebounding at his position, maybe for IQ and effort, and not an NBA player otherwise. I would feel more comfortable with this trade if Carter showed me more. But right now we have no depth.

BuiltToSpill
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February 3, 2025 1:26 pm
Reply to  GreatSuccess

My main issue with Carter is that he’s rushing through absolutely everything on offense. I feel like the lack of a training camp has really hurt him. The FO has seemed to treat him like he’s untouchable, for some reason, so maybe they see something that the rest of us don’t yet. I’m not worrying about Carter until this time next year.

Want2win
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February 3, 2025 1:40 pm
Reply to  GreatSuccess

The only thing I see is some defensive chops and rebounding, and do not understand why they drafted him. It makes sense when I heard the story that we drafted him for a trade and that trade fell through. At that point the front office doesn’t wanna come out and make it sound like they don’t want the kid, but I don’t know why he would’ve been untouchable cause I don’t see it.

Watty4ever
February 3, 2025 2:04 pm
Reply to  Want2win

I think we need to give Carter a year. Hopefully he’s showing more over the later part of this season once he has a defined role, which he’s going to have if he’s the #4 guard on roster.

Want2win
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February 3, 2025 2:44 pm
Reply to  Watty4ever

That would be fair and i’m letting my bias of the fact that we could’ve had a Tristan Da Silva, which would’ve helped with our size or Daron Holmes both positions of need. But it’s always easy to be a armchair QB about drafting.

Convoy
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February 2, 2025 5:59 pm

Which actually means 2 and 5 Cash Considerations.

Adamsite
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February 2, 2025 6:04 pm
Reply to  Convoy

Lol, truth.

MidtownMike
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February 2, 2025 6:49 pm

Which is pretty fair imo

A_Night_At_The_Arco
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February 2, 2025 5:41 pm

Take my photo and slightly turn it. I’m too depressed to find a dog gif.

notdeaaronfox
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February 2, 2025 5:42 pm

In hindsight, maybe this wasn’t the best username choice.

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 5:43 pm
Reply to  notdeaaronfox

yeszachlavine (?)

RobHessing
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February 2, 2025 5:42 pm

Thank you, De’Aaron. You deserved better than this organization, and now you have it.

macdoogs
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February 2, 2025 5:46 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Imagine going from the kings to the spurs. It’s like when I managed a motel 6 but took a job at a marriott.

Best of luck to fox, never a bad thing to say about him. Great person, kid, human, and all the stuff he is. Happy for him as well

BingBong
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February 2, 2025 9:29 pm
Reply to  macdoogs

Imagine going from a revolving door of coaches to one of the best to ever do it. That’s huge for De’Aaron.

BuiltToSpill
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February 2, 2025 10:15 pm
Reply to  BingBong

One of the best ever. But 76 and fresh off a stroke. Careful what you wish for, De’Aaron. And godspeed.

RPO
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February 2, 2025 7:20 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Word up. Can say the same about just about every player on this team.

RikSmits
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February 2, 2025 10:15 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

We deserve better than this organization. I demand a trade!

GreatSuccess
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February 3, 2025 8:35 am
Reply to  RobHessing

Fox was a difference-maker like few in the league when he was right. But he hasn’t seemed right in a few weeks, and the 3-pt shooting was becoming harder to stomach.

What really turned me off was his response after the Pistons loss. Total lack of accountability. Not the mark of a leader.

BetweenAMitch_AHardPlace
February 2, 2025 5:42 pm

Trade deebo for butler, and Keegan for Draymond. I want to see the world (kangz) burn.

ScottyPop
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February 2, 2025 5:43 pm

Bummer

Storm
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February 2, 2025 5:43 pm

Can’t wait to lose in r1 as the 10th seed and not rebuild. We passed on a LOT of talent for Fox too, and this being how that saga ends….nothing to say but Kangz….

Take me back to that 2-0 lead over the warriors…..

vestxpress
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February 2, 2025 5:44 pm

this Is worse than the Luka trade.

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

It most certainly is not, but I feel you, the Fox return seems uninspiring.

mdeedublu
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February 2, 2025 5:49 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

No, no it’s not

vestxpress
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February 2, 2025 5:53 pm
Reply to  mdeedublu

Zach Lavine is a high usage chucker that is going to send this team back to Stone Age. He has not improved any team he has ever been on, thus the reason he is always traded.

Adamsite
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February 2, 2025 5:57 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

To be fair, he’s more efficient then Fox at “chucking.” His defense is where we will be left wanting.

vestxpress
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February 2, 2025 6:01 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Who cares about defense on this dumpster fire of an organization. Do Sabonis a solid and release him from this captive Hell that is the Kangz please!!!

Adamsite
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February 2, 2025 6:05 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

I just wanted to be clear that LaVine is a more efficient scorer, that’s all.

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 7:39 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Agree, defense for sure, but also this maybe my personal preference, but I prefer Fox’s offense.

LaVine is certainly a better pure scorer, but he does pound the ball a lot and has never been a great passer. A good shooter / scorer, but this year his shooting is a bit misleading as I don’t think his 45% from three is sustainable and as that drops, his overall efficiency and offensive impact will drop a bit too.

aplumley
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February 3, 2025 8:04 am
Reply to  vestxpress

You’ve said it twice, and it still isn’t true.

DC1102
February 2, 2025 6:27 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

Agreed, we couldn’t even get stronger players from SA because Fox seemingly forced us to trade with them only. We couldn’t even get pick swaps or unprotected picks. The Bulls wanted to unload Lavine for next to nothing this pas summer. The Kings will be horrible in 2 years and have no draft capital decent players. We will only be able to trade each year and/or overpay for players with less talent than Fox. We will be a laughing stock for many more years.

We really need to fire Monte after the trade deadline. He is worthless pile of crap with no vision and no negotating talent. Vivek is crap but this trade falls on Monte, even though Fox was forcing the trade at some level. He could have asked for more players from Chicago or San Antonio or just walked away from the deal!

BingBong
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February 2, 2025 10:05 pm
Reply to  DC1102

We won’t even get a first rounder out of it until 2027! Good lord

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 7:43 am
Reply to  BingBong

The year is 2027. LaVine is making $49M. The Kings lose in the first round, but don’t even have our own pick, because we traded it as part of a package for a solid starter in our 2025 playoff push. However, we do get back the 28th pick from the Spurs. The board is abuzz with the possibility that Ant leaves the Timberwolves after his contract expires in 2030 and we have some hope of rebuilding in 2031, though not with our own draft pick, since the Spurs own that.

aplumley
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February 3, 2025 8:05 am
Reply to  BingBong

And the best potential pick from this trade is in 2031…I’ll be sixty years old by then.

Jack
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February 3, 2025 7:33 am
Reply to  DC1102

i’m not a GM thank God but if I were I would not have done this trade. If I would have waited then I would. Everyone here wanted and was also said by our great GM they have coveted young up and coming players. The Sours had a ton of them and we didn’t get one. NOT ONE! What did we get a older players worth over 40 million dollars a year. He can score but unlike Fox he doesn’t play defense. Did we get draft picks? Not really. One of the first we got will never convey and one of the firsts is in the year 2031. I used to trust the FO but not now. I hope Monte has more trades coming. If not he has not addressed any of the issues at hand.

MidtownMike
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February 2, 2025 6:51 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

Significantly more return compared to luka and mavs

ForKingsandCountry
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February 2, 2025 7:00 pm
Reply to  MidtownMike

You think the Lakers would trade Anthony Davis for Lavine, 2 first and 5 seconds? There is zero chance of that. Davis is only a year older than Lavine and they both have pretty bad injury histories.

Watty4ever
February 3, 2025 7:51 am

Kind of ignoring the fact that both Luka and AD are much more valuable players than Fox — those guys are competing for All-NBA 1st team, Fox is outside the top 25 in the League and isn’t getting better at age 27. He’s going to SA to be a #2 guy to Wemby, not to be #1 guy that you can build a team around. That role suits him.

krswin
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February 2, 2025 8:41 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

Not at all. But the Luka trade changed everyone’s value.

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm

Huerter, Collins, Tre Jones to the Bulls

J-Mac also to the spurs

vestxpress
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February 2, 2025 5:46 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

Better be some unprotected pucks coming our way too.

Convoy
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February 2, 2025 6:04 pm
Reply to  vestxpress

Looks like we’re gonna need some shotblockers.

Klam
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm

Good luck in San Antonio, Fox. At least you are going to a competent organization with a future Hall of Famer, and you’re closer to your hometown area. Spurs basically kept their current core and added Fox. They will be up and coming real soon.

Not excited about LaVine.

This FO is a joke, along with Vivek.

RPO
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February 2, 2025 7:23 pm
Reply to  Klam

Maybe the FO is a joke because of Vivek. That’s where I’m at, anyway.

Want2win
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm

We got older, worse defensively and still are missing a power forward and took on more salary… sounds about right

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm

This sounds like a trash return but we’ll see.
I can see DDR getting moved. Still too many guards.

Klam
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm

Full trade:

FROM SHAMS:Full trade:Spurs: De'Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first round picks (2025 CHA, 2027 SAS, 2031 MIN), three second round picks (2025 CHI, 2028 DEN, 2028 own back)Bulls: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, their own 2025 pick via SAS

Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-02-03T01:40:56.484Z

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 5:47 pm
Reply to  Klam

The 2025 CHA pick that is lottery protected? WTF

mdeedublu
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm

I think we lost this one

BeTheBall
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February 2, 2025 5:45 pm

Not quite as bad as the Luka deal, at least.

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:47 pm

FROM SHAMS:

Full trade:

Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin

Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first round picks (2025 CHA, 2027 SAS, 2031 MIN), three second round picks (2025 CHI, 2028 DEN, 2028 own back)

Bulls: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, their own 2025 pick via SAS

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:47 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

So we didn’t even get the pick swap back. Lol.

BeTheBall
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February 2, 2025 6:25 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

In terms of the front office moves, it’s been pretty downhill for Monte since the Sabonis trade.

Storm
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February 2, 2025 5:47 pm

We really got three 1’s and two 2’s. I take my concerns back. Still not a fan of pushing for the play-in, but that is a good trade tbh

richie88
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February 3, 2025 1:03 am
Reply to  Storm

Due to the protection on the Hornets pick, it’ll be 2 1st rounders.

Adamsite
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February 2, 2025 5:49 pm

The Hornets pick won’t convey, so it’s just 2 first round picks.

discocricket
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February 2, 2025 5:52 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Yep. This is where the ball gets hidden. The 31 Wolves 1st is the key asset.

richie88
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February 3, 2025 1:05 am
Reply to  discocricket

The only way that I can see this trade possibly being a decent trade is if that 1st rounder is a high 1st rounder.

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 5:52 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

The 2027 SA pick will probably be a last 1st. Who knows what Minnesota looks like 6 years from now.

mdeedublu
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February 2, 2025 5:53 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Monte needs to be fired

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 5:54 pm
Reply to  mdeedublu

Vivek must have signed off on it, which means he was okay with Monte doing the trade.

GhostMalone
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February 2, 2025 5:56 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

If Vivek signed off on it you can be sure it’s a bad idea

RikSmits
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February 2, 2025 10:17 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

Vivek has been coveting LaVine for years.

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:55 pm
Reply to  mdeedublu

Would have been nice to get the pick swap back l, but mm doesn’t seem like he knows how to negotiate.

Nemanja_Business
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February 2, 2025 7:49 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

First rule of negotiations. Don’t do it with Ainge, Riley, presti or the Spurs.

This is the no duh rule.

This return sucks. Didn’t get even 1 of castle, vassell or either of the Hawks picks? How?

Klam
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February 2, 2025 6:11 pm
Reply to  mdeedublu

And Wes Wilcox.

Amonk81
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February 2, 2025 7:10 pm
Reply to  mdeedublu

Monte isn’t running the show and we all know it.

And even if he does get fired, it won’t change a goddamn thing. They’ll bring in another general manager, and Vivek will continue to fuck things up.

It’s really sad. Disheartening to have an owner like this.

BestHyperboleEver
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February 2, 2025 5:57 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Gotta at least get the ATL pick.

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:51 pm

vivek and monte refuse to rebuild or at least pivot in a different direction that creates a higher long term ceiling.

The mediocrity train continues. This is a sideways move at best, which is what the FO has become known for.

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 5:51 pm

In all honesty, Lavine is a more efficient shooter than Fox, spaces the floor better, more of a lob threat/athletic finisher.

The rest of his game, plus the injury history, plus the salary…leaves a lot to be desired.

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:54 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

FWIW, I was listening to a recent pod about a week ago with Simmons and KoC and they were raving about Lavine’s play this season and actually viewed him as an asset.

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 5:57 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Fox has a .516 Effective Field Goal % for his career.

Lavine is at .540 EFG%, while being 5% better from 3 than Fox for their respective careers.

BuiltToSpill
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February 2, 2025 9:26 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

And while Lavine is not a better defender than Fox, does he have to be, positionally? Our guard contingent is now Monk, Ellis, Carter. If you believe in Carter’s defense (I do), maybe we just added a better offensive player and didn’t sacrifice team defense. Lavine can’t be a much worse defender than Huerter.

Editor’s note: at first glance, I felt pretty sure we lost this deal. But at the same time, I’m not losing my mind over it.

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 7:48 am
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

Worth noting that LaVine has been on the market for awhile. And the 2nd place offer couldn’t even beat Huerter, Tre Jones, Collins, and their own first back.

The Bucks were maybe offering Middleton’s mediocre contract (mostly due to his injuries) and a late first round pick.

Given his play, contract, and injury history there just wasn’t much demand for him.

I realize the FO was in a tough situation and Fox held a lot of leverage here, so it’s not like they actively went out and tried to trade Fox for LaVine and some mostly mediocre assets. But also not a great return for what might have been our best asset.

Adamsite
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February 3, 2025 8:23 am
Reply to  SPTSJUNKIE

I think Fox, the Spurs, and Rich Paul held all the leverage here. The writing was on the wall the Fox would only go and extend with San Antonio so Monte’s hands may have been tied. For all we know the offer from the Spurs was even lower for Fox, thus Monte needed to find a third team looking to move their star to start a rebuild. LaVine happened to be that guy. Hell, we may be lucky it wasn’t Zion.

The proof in the pudding for me is how little the Spurs gave up. That’s the tell. They gave up kitchen scraps for Fox because everyone in the room knew he was headed there anyway. I don’t think there was any bidding war because Rich Paul shut down all the other teams.

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 9:07 am
Reply to  Adamsite

No real disagreement in the micro. But in the macro, I am struggling to see a real direction here. Right now if seems like we are older and tethered to a low value player (around the league) on a huge contract and with a playing style that I don’t think is especially conducive to winning.

Obviously, you can win with LaVine, the Bulls had a good season with Ball (pre-injury), Vuc, DeRozan (when he was a top 10 MVP candidate), Caruso, and him. But even that team was 46-36 and exited in the first round in 5 games. LaVine has not played on an over .500 team at any other time in his 11 year career. Not completely his fault, but also not completely divorced from his ball dominant playing style and lack of defense.

Overall, just not a good haul for our best asset and it we don’t take this opportunity to rebuild, we have a quickly narrowing path to compete with some of the top teams int he West.

Adamsite
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February 3, 2025 9:17 am
Reply to  SPTSJUNKIE

I see it as a lateral move talent wise, with some draft capital to boot. Yeah, LaVine’s contract is more, but the Kings also shed Huerter’s deal in the process. More was owed to Huerter and Fox next season than LaVine is going to get. Hypothetically, if Fox were staying, he’d be getting paid LaVine money, but for 5 more years. Folks can debate the pick return forever, but I honestly can’t recall any time in Sac history when the Kings owned two future unconditional first round picks.

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 9:52 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Think the second part is a great point and excited to see what the FO can do here.

But I definitely do not believe that LaVine is lateral talent wise. I think with the desire for this trade, Fox is in a down season, but talent wise, not only do I think he is better, but I also think his playing style is far more conducive to winning.

There is a reason why LaVine has been on the market for a couple of years and this is I guess the best return Chicago could get whereas we got more for Fox despite him demanding a trade to one team. Even on a Supermax, if we made him available to the entire NBA on a long-term contract we would have gotten even more.

LaVine has some talent, but he’s a ball dominant scorer who doesn’t really create for others, doesn’t play good defense, and isn’t particularly long or versatile so doesn’t fit into a good team defense.

The Moneyball type hope to get better would be combining the TPE we got with the picks to add more talent so it is LaVine + ??? > Fox + Huerter, but at that point we will be equally or more expensive, older, and won’t have a lot of future assets to move so again just seems to be treading water without a lot of assets to use to leapfrog teams like OKC, SA, Houston, etc.

RikSmits
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February 3, 2025 10:26 am
Reply to  SPTSJUNKIE

Hi again, SPTSJUNKIE. Long time no see, if I’m not mistaken?

Even on a Supermax, if we made him available to the entire NBA on a long-term contract we would have gotten even more.

I have my doubts.

Lavine has been less ball-dominant than Fox the last 4 seasons, and has a far superior TS%. His assist percentage is better than DDR’s and not that much worse than Fox’s. he’s longer than Fox and while he’s not a great defender, I think he’s not that bad. Better than DDR, who I never liked as an acquisition.

If you can flip DDR and address some other needs, you’re trending inb the right direction, IMO.

Hobby916
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February 3, 2025 10:34 am
Reply to  RikSmits

DDR only has $10m guaranteed in the 26-27 season. That could be a good value for a team. He can be moved and seen as a positive asset for some teams.

I expect the Kings to retain DDR and try to upgrade the roster by using Lyles, the MLE ($12.8m), and the smaller TPEs, plus the picks in the Fox trade.

The team was stuck in upgrading because I don’t teams were interested in the picks the Kings had (because they weren’t letting them go without strict restrictions), and Huerter. They have space under the 1st apron now, plus many 2nd round picks.

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 10:48 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Thank you. Yes, been a bit, been very busy, but missed it here so good to be talking ball again with you guys. Just wish it wasn’t starting the day Fox was traded.

As for Fox v. LaVine. I think some of the proof is in what occurred. LaVine has been on the market or awhile and got virtually nothing. Fox sapped our leverage and yet we got more back despite the Spurs knowing they needed to give him a supermax.

Less ball dominant is tricky, there really isn’t a perfect stat for this, KFip did some analysis on Twitter and fair to say it’s close, but LaVine holds / dribbles more in the halfcourt (Fox TOP is thrown off a bit by the fact he brings the ball up the court). Note, I am relying on Fip here, didn’t dive in myself.

But he certainly isn’t as good of a passer. Assist percentage can be misleading. Depending on the site you are using it can be defined as % of team assists, which favors just having more touches.

But LaVine has a low assist / FG + FT attempted for his archetype. And LaVine also has a pretty bad 1.6 A/T. The first number is worse given how much creation he does (only 47% of his twos and 52% of his threes are assisted) and and second number is a bit better as you can’t compare him to an off ball player, but is still bad.

Do agree about some of the DDR issues and flipping him in a deal for someone like Cam Johnson can help. But I do wonder if politically that hurts us with future free agents unless we can help route him to another contender in a three team deal (convincing him to sign with us and then shipping him to the Nets in less than a season could sour other free agents on coming here).

RikSmits
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February 3, 2025 12:01 pm
Reply to  SPTSJUNKIE

Thanks. Hope to see you around again more regularly.

Jack
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February 3, 2025 7:42 am
Reply to  Hobby916

And he doesn’t play defense. We needed defense but didn’t even get that. I’m sorry but unless Monte can address our glaring issues in the next couple of days it’s down hill from here on. Too Bad.

DNP-CD
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February 2, 2025 5:53 pm

Nuts and bolts, nuts and bolts we got screwed. This has Vivek’s fingerprints all over it. I’m done.

BuiltToSpill
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February 2, 2025 9:27 pm
Reply to  DNP-CD

More than that: Vivek’s genitals have been rubbed all over this.

deepshot22
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February 2, 2025 10:45 pm
Reply to  BuiltToSpill

What genitals?

Mike120
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February 2, 2025 5:54 pm

Best of luck to Fox. I hope he wins a ring with Wemby. He’s been Sacramento’s best player since he got here. That said I don’t hate the trade. 6 pics Huerter gone, McLaughlin want playing. Lavine can score. Puts us in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.

macdoogs
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February 2, 2025 5:59 pm
Reply to  Mike120

Unfortunately the hornets pick is lotto protected. That little nugget really irked me

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 6:04 pm
Reply to  macdoogs

The first round pick originating from the Hornets is lottery protected this year and then converts to second rounders in 2026 and 2027. Minnesota’s pick in 2031 is unprotected.

BestHyperboleEver
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February 2, 2025 6:00 pm
Reply to  Mike120

It only puts us in the Flagg sweepstakes if we tank.

ForKingsandCountry
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February 2, 2025 5:54 pm

Just to be clear, this trade is HORRIBLE. It’s a non pick, 1 terrible pick that could be 29 or 30 and one maybe decent TWolves pick in 6 years. All to pair Lavine with Derozan and become the Bulls, who have a the definition of mediocre for the last 4 years.

The only positive is, I’ve been saying the Kings are the Bulls for the last two years and now it’s actually come to fruition. I thought we were on the Bulls trajectory but I didn’t think we’d become them in a literal sense.

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 5:57 pm

Kind of funny.
lavine and ddr back together with a better version of Vuc in Domas. Lol.

BeTheBall
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February 2, 2025 6:27 pm
Reply to  TheGrantNapear

DeRozan must be kicking himself. Thought he left that bum behind in Chicago.

Adamsite
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February 2, 2025 6:32 pm
Reply to  BeTheBall

That’s a bit presumptive. For all we know DDR loved playing with LaVine. I don’t think we should speculate on their personal opinions of each other.

ForKingsandCountry
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February 2, 2025 6:43 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

True but from a basketball perspective, Lavine was TERRIBLE last year with Derozan. I don’t know how you make this move without moving Derozan. What would be the point?

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 6:45 pm

Lavine played 25 games last season. Hard to judge him on that.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 2, 2025 6:50 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

This.

ForKingsandCountry
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February 2, 2025 7:03 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

That’s fine. The Bulls were the absolute definition of mediocre during their time together in Chicago. Not to mention you have a HARD ceiling with that duo and Sabonis. I just don’t see any upside with this move. I’d much rather they move DDR for some type of wing or big help and then start Monk, Ellis, Lavine, Keegan and Sabonis. At least that lineup potentially has really great offensive potential and Keegan and Keon can cause problems on defense.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 2, 2025 8:33 pm

and that may come. Until the deadline, lets hold our grades.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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February 2, 2025 8:59 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Grade C for now unless INC.

ForKingsandCountry
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February 2, 2025 9:06 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

The grade for me right now is a D- and it could improve but I have little hope it will.

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 7:54 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Agree to a point. Willing to hold grades till the deadline.

However, my more macro worry is “what are we even doing as a franchise?”

We got worse and took on a horrible contract. We added a few assets, but improving before the deadline will likely require sending those back out and more.

Even if we land a Collins or Cam Johnson, it doesn’t make up competitive with the top teams in the West. But we also are not rebuilding. And if say we give up 2-3 first round picks for Cam, we are not going to have a lot of future assets left to chase another star player.

Hopefully the FO has a plan and can make it work. But it kind of feels like we are lacking a clear direction and strategy. We seem on a path to compete for the 5 seed and a first round exit. Maybe one exciting season where we make the 2nd round due to a perfect matchup or opponent’s injury and then lose in 5 games.

BuiltToSpill
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February 2, 2025 9:29 pm

We’ve got a couple of firsts to pair with DDR now. And the guy isn’t completely without value at all, tbh.

SPTSJUNKIE
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February 3, 2025 8:22 am
Reply to  BuiltToSpill

But what does that get you? John Collins? Cam Johnson?

I like both of those guys, but I am not sure a roster of:

Monk
LaVine
Cam
Keegan
Sabonis

is getting you very far. Maybe that gets you past the play-in, but then are you beating the Thunder, Grizzlies, Rockets, or Lakers?

And if we dump 2-3 FRPs to get Cam along with DD, then does that really start to drain our future assets (we already don’t own all of our own picks). So will we really be able to improve or package some of these guys for another star if one becomes available.

Houston never tanked and built up slowly. I was a bit mystified by what they were doing before the Harden trade. But at least while they were treading water, they were stockpiling picks and young players they used to acquire Harden.

I think we have a much better and smarter FO than we did under Pete or Vlade. But I hope there is a more cohesive plan here, because I am a bit concerned we are getting trapped in a mediocre state.

BuiltToSpill
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February 3, 2025 11:52 am
Reply to  SPTSJUNKIE

I don’t disagree with any of that. To me, they have through next year to do something impactful. Really, they still need to address the imbalanced roster by Thursday. But if this team isn’t in the playoffs next year, it’s fire sale time, imo.

Hobby916
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February 2, 2025 6:00 pm

What if they send Demar and 1 of those picks to the Nets for cam johnson?

ForKingsandCountry
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February 2, 2025 6:42 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

That would be better but I doubt it happens. We’ll see. And if they trade the Twolves 31 pick, Lord help me.

Nemanja_Business
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February 2, 2025 7:52 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

Only if it’s the Hornets pick

cloudyeyes
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February 2, 2025 6:24 pm

And that makes Keegan, what, Patrick Williams?

ForKingsandCountry
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February 2, 2025 6:41 pm
Reply to  cloudyeyes

Yep! I think Keegan is better but yeah that’s pretty much it.

TheGrantNapear
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February 2, 2025 7:17 pm

We’re the Bizarro Bulls.

lazlohollyfeld
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February 2, 2025 7:33 pm

Too bad we didn’t call Wizards and ask for Jonas but get Bagley in return.

JoeNoSay
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February 3, 2025 9:48 am

So you’re bearish on this Bull sit(uation)

bignerd
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February 2, 2025 5:56 pm

This is a very Monte trade, movement of contracts and gaining a couple quarters and dimes along the way.

Doesn’t solve their issues but gives them ammo which “could” solve an issue or two later.

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February 2, 2025 6:28 pm
Reply to  bignerd

Could solve an issue, like moving bad contracts he was responsible for signing players to.

Nemanja_Business
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February 2, 2025 7:53 pm
Reply to  bignerd

Solving thr issue by removing an unwanted contract.

GreatSuccess
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February 3, 2025 8:49 am
Reply to  bignerd

It feels like Monte’s hand was forced, and their position weakened by Fox/Rich Paul. And this is probably based on Fox’s ability to get a max contract if he’s traded now, so honestly a pretty selfish move from the Fox camp if I’m understanding this right. Player empowerment sucks for franchises like ours.