The Los Angeles Lakers are keeping all the irons in the fire, while simultaneously playing their cards close to their vests. Despite making a substantial trade to move D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton the Lakers are still connected to several trades big and small.
The hottest trade rumor of the moment surrounds the uncertain nature of De’Aaron Fox’s future with the Sacramento Kings. This has caused basketball’s talking heads to surmise the best fits and ideal landing spots for Fox.
Lakers And Spurs Spar For De’Aaron Fox
The Lakers have been a large part of that conversation. The Athletic wrote, “The San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers top the list of teams that are most often discussed as possible Fox landing spots, with others sure to make a run at him if (when?) he’s truly on the market.”
But the author, Sam Amick doesn’t label the Lakers as the team most eager to land Fox. That goes to the Spurs. “Make no mistake, though: the Spurs’ noise is the loudest.” he wrote.
It isn’t just that they aren’t pushing the hardest, the Kings’ timeline for Fox doesn’t match the Lakers’ current goal; making a run for a championship while LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still wearing the purple and gold. Based on Amick’s reporting, Fox won’t be traded this season.
“Among interested teams, there is a strong belief that Fox is more likely to be available this summer rather than before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.”
Beyond that, Fox may not see the Lakers as the ideal landing spot, potentially facing a full-scale rebuild in the wake of a departing James. As reported by The Athletic, Fox recently reiterated his desire to compete for championships, noting that playing for a team perpetually vying for a playoff berth does not align with his long-term aspirations. This sentiment echoes his previous statements regarding his rejection of a three-year, $165 million extension offer from the Sacramento Kings.
Furthermore, during a recent podcast appearance with Draymond Green, Fox reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a championship ring.
“I want to make sure that we’re in a position to try to win in the future, because that’s ultimately what I want to do,” Fox, told Green and former player Baron Davis. “For me, it’s ‘Are we looking like we’re continuing to get better year after year, and ‘Are we going to be able to compete at a high level?”