De'Aaron Fox's journey with the Sacramento Kings has come to an end. The talented point guard, drafted by the Kings in 2017, has seen a tumultuous ride through various coaching regimes, and his time in Sacramento concluded following the dismissal of head coach Mike Brown. On February 3, 2024, Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. His move comes after a period of discontent with the Kings' coaching instability and a desire to play alongside a superstar. Fox's decision to join the Spurs was primarily driven by their youthful energy and the opportunity to team up with Victor Wembanyama, a player he holds in high regard.
The Kings have witnessed significant turnover at the head coaching position during Fox's tenure. He played under coaches Dave Joerger, Luke Walton, Alvin Gentry, and finally Mike Brown. This constant change at the helm did not sit well with Fox, who had expressed his concerns to the organization, warning them of his growing frustration with the lack of stability. Despite being a pivotal player for the team, he declined to sign an extension during the offseason, signaling his intent to move on unless changes were made.
"I truly wanted to play for one team my whole career," Fox told ESPN. "I really did." – De'Aaron Fox
The trade to the Spurs marked a significant transition for Fox. His preference for San Antonio stemmed from their athletic roster and the chance to play with Wembanyama, whose versatility and potential for greatness are well recognized.
The Coaching Carousel
Fox's departure from Sacramento highlights the broader issue of frequent coaching changes within the Kings' organization. Since his draft in 2017, Fox witnessed four different head coaches lead the team. This inconsistency became a point of contention for him, as he publicly criticized the team's management for failing to provide a stable environment.
"The energy shifted and what's understood doesn't need to be explained," he said. "If I finished my contract there, then they knew what was going to happen next and it was because y'all fired another coach." – De'Aaron Fox
Coaches around the league widely criticized Mike Brown's dismissal. Steve Kerr, a respected figure in the NBA, expressed his surprise at Brown's firing.
"When you think about where that franchise was before Mike got there, [it's] really shocking." – Steve Kerr
Fox also revealed that not all players supported Brown during contract extension talks.
"During Mike's extension talks, some guys in the locker room didn't want Mike," Fox said. "Some guys wanted him to be fired during the summer…. But I'm not going to say [who]." – De'Aaron Fox
Despite these internal dynamics, Fox remained focused on his career trajectory and made clear his desire to move forward.
A New Beginning in San Antonio
Fox's trade to the Spurs marks a new chapter in his career, one filled with optimism and potential. His excitement about joining San Antonio was palpable, particularly due to his admiration for Wembanyama's game.
"He's so unique," Fox said. "Guys dribble to the lane, see him, [and] they're like, 'Yeah, I'm not going up.' I've never played with anything like that before." – De'Aaron Fox
Fox and Wembanyama quickly developed on-court chemistry. In their initial 120 minutes together, they executed 46 on-ball screens, showcasing their potential as a dynamic duo.
"Playing with a superstar is not easy because obviously, one, they demand the ball," Fox said. "Two, they demand so much attention. It's like playing with Steph. Everybody can't play with Steph because you always have to look for him. But at the end of the day, that motherf
Leave a Reply