With the February 6 trade deadline right around the corner, NBA teams are desperately trying to position themselves to make moves for the final stretch of the season and beyond. Contending teams are looking to upgrade their roster, while teams headed for the lottery will try to get future assets for their players with trade value.
The trade market seemed to be tepid, with Jimmy Butler being the only superstar expected to be dealt. Things took a shocking turn on Tuesday when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Sacramento Kings all-star guard De'Aaron Fox is now on the trade block. This changes the entire trade landscape, giving the Los Angeles Lakers the ability to acquire a true difference-maker.
Potential Lakers Target De'Aaron Fox Reportedly Isn't Interested in LA
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. pic.twitter.com/Oh3fXgZjm3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2025
This comes as a major surprise since the Sacramento Kings have been on a hot streak since firing Mike Brown and replacing him with Doug Christie. It was assumed that Fox, who was reportedly disgruntled with the organization earlier in the season, had endorsed this move. It turns out the 27-year-old point guard is plotting his exit from Sacramento.
Fox is the exact type of player the Lakers need to put around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He is young enough to be a part of this franchise for a long time and fills a need for the Lakers. He is a great shot-creator and shot-maker who isn't a defensive liability. He can take some of the offensive burden off of LeBron and AD while having the ability to play off the ball.
Unfortunately, however, the Lakers aren't at the top of the list of potential destinations for Fox, per Charania. Fox's contract is up in the summer of 2026 and he reportedly has a landing spot in mind. Even though Lakers fans immediately assumed that Fox -who is represented by Rich Paul's Klutch Sports- would have LA as a preferred destination, that doesn't seem to be the case.
Shams Charania:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 28, 2025
"I'm told the Lakers are not part of that destination of choice for De'Aaron Fox potentially.”
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
pic.twitter.com/7Vg0AV4XTy
This is a disappointing development for the Lakers, who would very willingly trade their unprotected first-round picks and pick swaps for Fox at the deadline. Where the Kings star will end up remains to be seen, but it looks like the Lakers will need to settle for a lower-end move before February 6.