The San Antonio Spurs-Sacramento Kings-Chicago Bulls trade could be described as the NBA’s second biggest blockbuster trade in recent days. In case you missed it, San Antonio received Guards De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin. Sacramento received Guards Zach LaVine and Sidy Cissoko, a 2025 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
Chicago received Forward Zach Collins Guards Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter and a 2025 first-round pick in Saturday’s three-team trade involving seven players and several first-round picks. Here’s the Spurs’ outlook following the Fox trade.
San Antonio Spurs Trade
The San Antonio Spurs trade for Fox might not be as shocking as the Los Angeles Lakers trade for Point Guard Luka Doncic, which sent Power Forward Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, but still. On Sunday, ESPN’s Shams Charania posted on X, “BREAKING: Sacramento is finalizing a trade to send De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a multi-team trade that moves Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine to the Kings, sources tell ESPN.”
The Kings got more than the Mavericks did. The Sacramento Kings got two unprotected first-round picks, while the Bulls got back a protected first-round pick. The Mavericks just got the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. On paper, Sacramento got more, while Dallas got less. Moreover, Sacramento has a better point differential when Fox isn’t on the floor, as Sacramento’s 6.1 points per 100 possessions better when Fox’s on the bench. San Antonio didn’t give up much.
Fox’s Stats This Season
De’Aaron Fox has been averaging 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, while shooting 46.9% from the field and 32.2% from downtown. Fox has averaged 21.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 33.3% from downtown, in career. The Kings drafted Fox with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft out of Kentucky.
On Monday, Fox wrote in an Instagram post to address the Kings’ fanbase in Sacramento, California, and around the world, “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.”
Spurs Win Trade
The San Antonio Spurs arguably won the trade with the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls. The Spurs’ addition of Fox was a massive advantage. Fox previously helped the Kings end a 16-year playoff drought in the 2022-23 NBA season and earned All-NBA honors that year. Fox also ranked fourth in career points in the Kings’ history.
Fox’s on-court presence could help center Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama, 21, has been continuing his climb to stardom as the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year. He is set to make his NBA All-Star debut and is among the favorites to win the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Wembanyama has never played with a player as talented as Fox, so the Spurs could grab the Western Conference’s attention in the coming months.
The Spurs’ trade for Fox was a move that most of the NBA’s general managers would dream of completing by the NBA trade deadline. The Spurs might not be title contenders this season, but they’ll likely climb the Western Conference standings over the second half of the season. San Antonio’s plan to surround Wembanyama with talent that amplifies him has become a reality, and Spurs fans should be excited for the next decade.