Sacramento has made the latest NBA trade splash, dealing playmaking guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a multi-team swap that will also see Chicago Bulls scorer Zach LaVine become a King.
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According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, who on Sunday (AEDT) broke the gargantuan Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, the three-club deal is being finalised and includes a host of complementary pieces and picks swapping teams.
The full trade details, via Charania:
San Antonio Spurs: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
Sacramento Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first round picks (2025 CHA — protected 1-14 — 2027 SAS, 2031 MIN), three second round picks (2025 CHI, 2028 DEN, 2028 own back)
Chicago Bulls: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, their own 2025 pick via SAS
This season, the 27-year-old Fox had been averaging 25.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game, shooting 46.8 per cent from the field in a career-high 37.2 minutes per game.
Fox, who is owed US$37 million (AU$60.6 million) next season before being eligible for free agency in 2026-27, attended Cypress Lakes High School in Texas and had previously been strongly linked to a move to San Antonio if Sacramento ultimately bit the bullet and opted to trade him.
LaVine, who is in the midst of a career-best three-point shooting season with 24.0 points per game, is contracted through the 2026-27 season, when he has a player option. He is guaranteed US$43 million (AU$70.5 million) this season.
Ironically, the Kings signed LaVine to an offer sheet when he was a restricted free agent in 2018, but Chicago had matching rights for the then-restricted free agent.
Veteran ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst ran through the repercussions for the teams involved.
“It’s what De’Aaron Fox wanted. The Kings are going to get Zach LaVine, who’s a replacement playmaker and a couple of first-round picks here. The Bulls are going to offload some salary and start sort of a more tank process to keep their draft pick,” Windhorst said.
Importantly, San Antonio was able to acquire Fox and keep rookie sensation Stephon Castle; arguably its most valuable asset outside of Victor Wembanyama.
“They (the Spurs) are big believers that Castle can be a future star; they absolutely did not want to put Castle in these talks,” Windhorst continued. “They were able to get it done without putting Castle in it.
“I think, also, the key is that Fox can extend (his contract) this summer, and I don’t think he goes to a place where he doesn’t plan on extending. So, they do this deal knowing they’re going to keep him long-term.”
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