Victor Wembanyama is set to have a new point guard as De’Aaron Fox makes his way from Sacramento to San Antonio.
This significant trade involved three teams — the Kings, Spurs, and Chicago Bulls — which was agreed upon on Sunday and finalized the following day. The deal sees two-time All-Star Zach LaVine moving from Chicago to Sacramento, while Kevin Huerter transitions from the Kings to the Bulls and Zach Collins departs the Spurs for Chicago.
Fox expressed his gratitude to Sacramento fans on Instagram, stating, “I’m grateful I got to spend the beginning of my young adulthood here. The love for the city is unmatched. To the fans — y’all deserve the best. I wanted to end my career here and never expected it would end this way, but I’ll always be grateful for your support.”
In addition, the trade involves Jordan McLaughlin coming from Sacramento to the Spurs, Sidy Cissoko moving from San Antonio to the Kings, and Tre Jones leaving the Spurs for Chicago. The Kings also acquired six future draft picks, including three first-round and three second-round selections.
Kings general manager Monte McNair acknowledged Fox’s contributions, noting, “De’Aaron has played a pivotal role with our franchise, and we are deeply grateful for everything he did to support the organization on and off the court. We appreciate Kevin’s many contributions to the team, especially as a key member of the 2023 playoff team. We also thank Jordan for his hard work and commitment during his time with the Kings.”
This trade occurs just before the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday, coinciding with another blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic from the Mavericks to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
For the Spurs, acquiring Fox is a monumental opportunity. Wembanyama, the reigning rookie of the year, is on a trajectory to stardom. He is slated to make his All-Star Game debut this month and is a strong contender for the Defensive Player of the Year while likely receiving MVP votes.
Fox, who will be eligible for an extension this summer, is optimistic about joining the Spurs. Partnering with a dominant 7-foot-4 center, like Wembanyama, is a dream scenario for any point guard. Currently, Fox boasts impressive averages of 25 points, 6.1 assists, and five rebounds per game this season for the Kings. With this being his eighth season, he is keen to embark on a new chapter alongside Wembanyama.
The Spurs managed to facilitate this move without sacrificing their ample supply of future draft picks or disrupting their young core, which includes rookies like Stephon Castle and Jeremy Sochan, as well as Keldon Johnson. The team preserved veteran players Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, who are both newcomers to San Antonio this year.
LaVine is also on the verge of a new beginning. He heads to Sacramento to reunite with former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan and is expected to enhance his game alongside consistent All-NBA contender Domantas Sabonis.
“Zach has been a cornerstone for this organization and the city,” remarked Bulls executive vice president for basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas. “He truly embraced what it means to be a Bull. His work ethic and passion for the game have been inspiring. During his time here, he not only grew as a player but also started a family.”
LaVine is currently averaging 24 points per game this season, positioning him to maintain at least that scoring average for a fifth consecutive season. He has a career average of 20.7 points per game, following tenures with both Minnesota and Chicago.
Huerter has a career scoring average of 11.5 points, having previously played for Atlanta before joining the Kings. He is also likely to thrive in this new environment after a season in which he came off the bench 28 times in 43 appearances.
The other players involved in the trade — Collins, Jones, Cissoko, and McLaughlin — had limited impact on their respective teams, with averages of 4.6, 4.4, 1.3, and 1.9 points respectively.
In light of these roster changes, the Bulls have released forward Torrey Craig and guard Chris Duarte. Chicago also acquired its original 2025 first-round pick from San Antonio, while Sacramento regained its own original 2028 second-round pick. The Kings’ newly acquired first-round selections are slated for 2025 (via Charlotte), 2027 (via San Antonio), and 2031 (via Minnesota), along with second-round picks for this season and 2028.
