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In: Sidy Cissoko, Zach LaVine, Charlotte’s 2025 first-round pick (lottery protection), Chicago’s 2025 second-round pick, San Antonio’s 2027 first-round pick, Denver’s 2028 second-round pick (top-33 protection, via San Antonio), 2028 second-round pick (its own, via Chicago), Minnesota’s 2031 first-round pick (via San Antonio)
Out: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
The optics of the Kings reuniting LaVine and DeMar DeRozan while forfeiting their franchise centerpiece in the process is equal parts hilarious, bizarre and, for Kings fans, incredibly frustrating.
Make no mistake, LaVine’s rim pressure, spot-up touch and off-the-dribble jump-shooting will be an excellent fit alongside DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and the rest of the roster. Sacramento’s playmaking takes a hit without Fox, but DeRozan, Sabonis and Malik Monk can all bridge the gap.
Whether that holds true in the postseason—or, more likely, the play-in—is up for debate. DeRozan’s efficiency has generally cratered against playoff defenses, and Monk, for all his improvement, is not someone who’s needed to shepherd the offense through high-leverage moments against set defenses.
There will also be a defensive drop-off going from Fox to LaVine. Heavy lifts for Keon Ellis and Keegan Murray just got heavier. The return of Devin Carter helps, but just like offseasons and trade deadlines past, the Kings fail to beef up their biggest voids—wings, a reserve big—in favor of upgrading or preserving the status quo of their strengths.
Prioritizing immediate results also contributes to Sacramento receiving maaaybe one premium asset attached to LaVine. The Kings did not get any of the Spurs’ youngsters. They didn’t get their 2031 swap back. They couldn’t even get San Antonio’s pick this year.
That Charlotte first is two seconds. The 2027 San Antonio pick should be in the 20s. There is upside in the Minnesota pick. The Kings increase their wiggle room beneath the luxury tax and, potentially, dredge up a sizable traded player exception. That’s it.
There will be attempts to frame this deal in a positive light. Ignore them. The Kings didn’t have to be here. They bumbled the Fox relationship amid fundamental failures to fill obvious, longstanding needs and then allowed the front office responsible to move him for a return that emphasizes complacency and brings back draft equity with low-to-medium upside at a time in their existential cycle that should demand they start over. That’s not OK.
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