The NBA trade market was almost silent before shocking everybody with the Luka Doncic trade and now with De’Aaron Fox’s. The Sacramento Kings star recently broke the rumor market as he got traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team blockbuster deal.
Fox, selected fifth overall by Sacramento in the 2017 NBA Draft, had a remarkable tenure with the Kings. During his seven and a half seasons with the franchise, he became a fan favorite. The star point guard earned an All-Star selection and an All-NBA nod in the 2022-23 season. He left his mark as the fourth all-time leader in scoring and assists for the Kings.
However, the trade that sends him to the Spurs would not only be a fresh start for Fox but also alter his financial trajectory. In this deal, alongside Jordan McLaughlin, Fox joins a young and promising Spurs squad featuring rising star Victor Wembanyama. Meanwhile, Zach LaVine finds a new home in Sacramento.
Important thing to note for De’Aaron Fox:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 29, 2025
If he’s traded, he’s no longer eligible to sign a Designated Veteran (supermax) extension, even if he makes All-NBA.
A player can only sign that type of extension with the team who drafted him, or if traded while still on his rookie…
Fox’s move to San Antonio comes with substantial financial implications. As the former face of the Kings, Fox was positioned to remain eligible for a supermax contract if he had stayed with Sacramento. This type of contract can be worth up to $296 million over five years. But it is contingent upon certain criteria such as earning All-NBA honors or being named to an All-Star team in specific seasons.
However, this trade renders him ineligible for the supermax deal with his new team. The Spurs can offer him a maximum five-year contract, somewhere valued at $296 million, only if he chooses to re-sign with them when he becomes a free agent. While this still represents a substantial financial opportunity, it’s way less than what he could have secured had he not been traded.
What’s Next For De’Aaron Fox?
Fox is currently in the fourth year of a lucrative five-year, $163 million rookie-scale contract extension he signed in 2020. The upcoming years of his contract outline significant earnings:
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2024-25: $34,848,340
- 2025-26: $37,096,620
- 2026: Becomes an unrestricted free agent\
As he enters free agency in 2026, Fox will be looking at substantial earnings, but the situation around his supermax eligibility is a hard pill to swallow. Essentially, by changing teams, Fox not only leaves behind the Kings but also forfeits the chance at a life-altering contract.
Despite these financial turns, Fox is set to go all in on his skills in San Antonio. In the current 2024-25 season, he is averaging an impressive 25.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Not only that, he has been a player who has consistently contributed at a high level with his career averages.
Field Goal Percentage: 46.8%
3-Point Percentage: 32.4%
Free Throw Percentage: 82.6%
As De’Aaron Fox suits up in the Spurs’ colors, he will have to adjust to new dynamics. The Spurs, equipped with young talent and abundant future assets, are poised to foster Fox’s growth.
Also Read: DeMar DeRozan Discusses Future With Kings Amid De’Aaron Fox Trade Rumors
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