De'Aaron Fox Says He Didn't Request Trade amid NBA Rumors: 'You Would Know If I Did'
Sacramento Kings star point guard De'Aaron Fox denied requesting a trade on Wednesday as rumors swirl that the team will entertain offers for him ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.
"No," he said when asked if he asked for a trade, per Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee. "You would know if I did."
"That's their decision to make," he added. "I can't tell them not to listen to offers or I can't tell them to listen to offers."
Reports on Tuesday also indicated Fox has a desired destination should he be traded—with the San Antonio Spurs believed to be that team—and while he didn't confirm the specific team, he didn't deny having one in mind.
"For sure, I think everybody has a preferred destination," he said. "I think everybody has a preferred destination if they're not in the place that—or if they're not going to be in the place where they are in the moment. I think it's natural."
Once Fox declined a three-year, $165 million max extension offer over the summer, his future with the Kings was always in question. It made sense from a financial standpoint, as he could now sign a four-year, $229-million extension this upcoming summer—or a five-year, $345 million supermax deal if he earns All-NBA honors—but it also meant he could become a free agent after the 2025-26 season.
That offers Fox a lot of leverage. The Kings don't want to risk losing him for nothing down the line and trading him now likely would fetch the greatest return, given he'll be under contract for at least another season. He'll also be able to sign the most lucrative possible contract with the team that acquires him via trade.
None of this guarantees the Kings will actually trade him, of course. They could also make one last-ditch effort to build a contender around him, acquiring another star this winter. It feels like the less likely approach, but Fox wouldn't be shocked by it, either.
"I think anything's possible in this league," he said Wednesday. "Like I said, crazier things have happened."
