Victor Wembanyama has a new point guard: De’Aaron Fox is leaving Sacramento and heading to San Antonio.
Fox is a key part of a trade between three teams, which also sends two-time All-Star Zach LaVine from Chicago to Sacramento, Zach Collins from San Antonio to Chicago, and Kevin Huerter from the Kings to the Bulls, according to two people familiar with the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The trade is still pending league approval and won’t be finalized until then.
The trade also includes Jordan McLaughlin going from Sacramento to the Spurs, Sidy Cissoko moving from the Spurs to the Kings, and Tre Jones leaving the Spurs for Chicago. There are also multiple draft picks involved, with Sacramento expected to receive at least three first-round picks, one of the sources said.
The trade was agreed upon just before the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday. This deal comes on the same day as another major trade, with Luka Dončić being sent from the Mavericks to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
Fox’s move to San Antonio is a big deal for the Spurs. Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is continuing to rise in the league. He’s set to play in his first All-Star Game soon, is a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, and could receive MVP votes.
It’s easy to see why Fox, who is eligible for an extension this summer, would want to join the Spurs. Playing with one of the best centers in the game — a 7-foot-4 player like Wembanyama, who’s hard for any defense to stop — is an appealing opportunity for any point guard.
Fox is currently averaging 25 points, 6.1 assists, and 5 rebounds per game this season for the Kings. He’s already been an All-Star and an All-NBA player, and now, in his eighth season, he gets a fresh start alongside Wembanyama.
The Spurs were able to make this trade without giving up too much. They kept their large collection of draft picks and didn’t have to part with key young players like rookie Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, or Keldon Johnson. The team also held on to veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, who are both in their first year with San Antonio.
It’s also a new beginning for LaVine, who heads to Sacramento to reunite with his former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan. He’ll also play alongside Domantas Sabonis, who is a regular All-NBA candidate.
LaVine is averaging 24 points per game this season, and he’s on track to hit that mark for the fifth time in his career. He’s a 20.7 points-per-game scorer over his career after playing for both Minnesota and the Bulls.
Huerter, who’s averaged 11.5 points per game in his career, first with Atlanta and then with the Kings, will also get a fresh start after coming off the bench 28 times in 43 games for Sacramento this season.
Collins has averaged 4.6 points with the Spurs, Jones 4.4 points, and Cissoko 1.3 points in 17 games with San Antonio. McLaughlin averaged 1.9 points in 28 games with the Kings.
