De'Aaron Fox Rumors: Some Kings Players Frustrated About 'Distraction' of Trade Buzz

Trade rumors surrounding De'Aaron Fox could be distracting the Sacramento Kings in their effort to climb into a guaranteed playoff spot.

According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, "the mood of the team could certainly play a part" in deciding the Kings' next move regarding Fox.

According to Amick, "league sources close to several Kings players expressed frustration that this situation has become such an ill-timed distraction."

Amick reported Tuesday that the Kings are "listening to trade offers" and "considering" trading Fox ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.

The 27-year-old guard has one year remaining on his contract and has signaled he will not sign an extension in Sacramento this summer, per Amick. ESPN's Shams Charania previously described the Spurs as Fox's "preferred destination."

However, according to Amick's previous report, Fox's agent Rich Paul "recently informed the Kings that it would be wise to move him sooner rather than later, even if it's not to the team of his choosing."

That could be due in part because Fox would be eligible for a higher maximum contract if re-signing rather than inking a new deal this summer, as reported by Keith Smith of Spotrac and Front Office Sports.

As Amick wrote in his latest report:

"Beyond the Spurs, who have the luxury of operating with the knowledge that Fox is likely to sign an extension if he comes their way, the Kings' attention has no doubt turned to teams that must view Fox as a rental. The question there, it seems, is whether the Kings are motivated enough to truly consider offers that would likely be far less attractive than the Spurs' because of the risk factor involved for teams that roll the dice.  "

The Kings have been on a tear ever since they wrapped up a six-game losing streak in December.

Despite most recently dropping a Wednesday decision to the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento has won 11 of its last 15 games while leapfrogging Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors for the final play-in spot in the West.

That surge has left the Kings just three games back of the last guaranteed playoff spot in the conference.

If Fox is determined to leave Sacramento by Feb. 6, finding a deal that will take the focus off the pending trade— while giving whoever the Kings receive in return as much time as possible to adjust to the lineup— could be key to climbing the Western Conference standings.

For now, Fox is set to remain with the team for Saturday's road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.