De’Aaron Fox Trade Rumors: Lakers Not Preferred Destination for Kings PG; Nets Linked

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 28, 2025

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox doesn’t appear headed to the Los Angeles Lakers amid ongoing trade rumors and speculation regarding the 27-year-old star.

“One thing I can say, with Rich Paul, we know he’s got LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers. I’m told the Lakers are not part of that destination of choice for De’Aaron Fox potentially,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on NBA Today.

Earlier Tuesday, Charania reported bombshell news on Fox, who could be headed out of Sacramento. Of note, Fox reportedly has a “target destination” in mind prior to his upcoming 2026 free agency.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharaniaJUST 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

SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Brooklyn Nets are monitoring the Fox situation, while ESPN and Sirius XM Radio’s Frank Isola also mentioned them as being “in play.”

Ian Begley @IanBegleyThe Nets, per sources, are among the teams that view De’Aaron Fox as a trade target and have been monitoring the Fox situation in SAC. ESPN reports Kings are expected to listen to offers ahead of trade deadline but Fox has preferred destination. He is under contract through…

Frank Isola @TheFrankIsolaBrooklyn Nets are in play. As one source said “they’re one of the options.” https://t.co/6T7lX7h2mQ

The Houston Rockets have been mentioned, but NBA insider Marc Stein reports the team wants to see how far this current group can go.

Marc Stein @TheSteinLineThere will be inevitable trade connections made between the Rockets and De’Aaron Fox, but league sources tell @TheSteinLine that Houston’s in-season intentions remain unchanged: Let this current group see how far it can go.

More from NBA Trade Season: https://t.co/LFQEa4zNFM https://t.co/08aiCKbGfG

Longtime Kings reporter James Ham said the San Antonio Spurs are believed to be Fox’s preferred destination.

James Ham @James_HamNBAAccording to multiple sources, if De’Aaron Fox leaves the Kings via trade, his preferred landing spot is the San Antonio Spurs. It could be an interesting couple of days in Sacramento.

Sam Amick of The Athletic also connected Fox and the Spurs.

Sam Amick @sam_amickSource: De’Aaron Fox’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, recently sent word that it would be wise for the Kings to move him now.

Even with Fox’s preferred destination – widely believed to be San Antonio – Fox’s side will remain open to all destinations.

More here, at…

Forbes’ Evan Sidery also said San Antonio and Fox “hold significant mutual interest.”

Evan Sidery @esideryThe Spurs and De’Aaron Fox are believed to hold significant mutual interest in a future partnership, per source.

Fox believes he is the missing piece in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama to make them a sustainable title threat in the Western Conference for years to come. pic.twitter.com/PHMM4Xm4vE

Fox has averaged 25.2 points, 6.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game this season for the 24-22 Kings, who sit 10th in the Western Conference.

It’s no surprise the Spurs, among other teams, have interest in Fox. As for why Fox might want to be in San Antonio, one towering reason makes sense above over all others in Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, who could very well hold the league’s title as its unquestionable GOAT soon enough.

Wembanyama is averaging 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and a league-high 3.9 blocks for a much-improved Spurs team that went 22-60 last year to 20-23 this year. San Antonio has a fighting chance at making the play-in tournament, and a top-six spot isn’t even out of the question (the Spurs are currently three losses behind the Los Angeles Clippers for sixth).

Fox is from Texas, having gone to school at Cypress Lakes in Katy, which is less than a three-hour drive from San Antonio. So he could go close to his old home and play with one of the best players in the world.

The Spurs need a long-term solution at point guard too. Veteran and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is faring quite well right now, but he’s a free agent after this season and turns 40 in May.

The table could be set for Fox in San Antonio, but in the meantime, he’s running the show for the Kings, who are fighting hard in the playoff race.