The largest error made by the Sacramento Kings at the 2025 NBA trade deadline

MLB Rumors: The largest error made by the Sacramento Kings at the 2025 NBA trade deadline

One of the most significant trade deadlines in the Sacramento Kings' recent history occurred. The season, which has so far not gone as planned, was a premonition of this turbulent time. De'Aron Fox, the team's star point guard, was moved to the San Antonio Spurs and is currently off the roster. It's unfortunate that this occurred.

Fox, a former No. 5 pick from the University of Kentucky in the 2017 NBA Draft, was dissatisfied with the organization that selected him for five years. At 16 going into the 2022–2023 season, the Kings held the NBA's longest postseason drought. 

However, under new head coach Mike Brown, Sacramento turned from a bottom-dweller in the Western Conference to the NBA season's biggest story.

One of the NBA's top offensive tandems, De'Aron Fox and Domanatas Sabonis, created the "Light the Beam" movement. De'Aron helped this team overcome a huge deficit and climb to the third seed in the conference by sticking with them during the tough times.

After one and a half years, Fox was cut from the team that drafted him, and Mike Brown was fired. But Sacramento's decision to deal their 27-year-old top point guard isn't the issue. This franchise's biggest error this trade deadline has been what the team received in exchange.

For De'Aron Fox, Sacramento did not receive enough compensation.

Even if it appears that the Kings received a respectable price for Fox, a closer examination reveals the deal's basic problems. Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, Charlotte's 2025 first-round pick, Chicago's 2025 second-round pick, San Antonio's 2027 first-round pick, Denver's 2028 second-round pick (through San Antonio), its own 2028 second-round pick (through Chicago), and Minnesota's 2031 first-round pick (through San Antonio) were all part of the return.

The Charlotte pick is lottery-protected when compared to the other first-round selections. The Hornets will receive two second-round picks if they fail to qualify for the playoffs, which they will not. 

There is no protection for the San Antonio pick. That pick, though, will probably be in the 20s because the Spurs now have Fox and Victor Wembanyama on their roster.

Whether Anthony Edwards stays with his team until then will probably determine whether the Minnesota selection has any potential. The potential trade value of this selection is reduced because Ant, who is only 23 years old, will be in his prime that year. That first second-round selection ought to be high given the Bulls' recent play. We have yet to see the other two.

Overall, if the Kings obtained a valuable asset in exchange for the draft capital, it wouldn't be a bad thing for a talented point guard who helped turn around the franchise. Sidy Cissoko, a 20-year-old late second-round pick in 2023, is the first player. The forward/guard is seen as a project. It's unclear why Zach LaVine was added to the deal. The shooting guard for the Bulls was enjoying an incredible season in Chicago, to the extent that he was dealt.

But until this year, the two-time All-Star was viewed as an unwanted asset. Although LaVine's two-year contract of roughly $95 million is acceptable, it does slightly reduce the roster flexibility Sacramento would have had under Fox's pact through 2026.

The Kings' preseason problem is also addressed by LaVine's acquisition.

For years, the Kings' greatest shortcoming has gone unaddressed.

Sacramento's decision to deal Fox adds even more confusion to the sign-and-trade for DeMar DeRozan. The Kings' risky decision to trade for the six-time All-Star hasn't worked out. DeRozan and Fox have somewhat redundant skill sets when it comes to scoring, despite DeRozan's offensive efficiency. Sacramento's three-point shooting efficiency declined this season as a result of both players not being regarded as exceptional three-point shooters.

Furthermore, DeRozan is no longer the defender he once was at the age of 35. This offseason, the Kings wanted a top three-and-D player to complement Sabonis and Fox; consider the original Anunoby type. Rather, when the Phoenix Suns brought in Bradley Beal, the team encountered a similar dynamic. On attack, they have too many redundant skill sets, and their defense is deteriorating.

For years, Sacramento has suffered on this end of the court. Additionally, this team has struggled against teams with an attacking mindset and is now ranked 20th in defensive ratings. Zach LaVine is larger than De'Aaron Fox, but he lacks the Spurs' newest point guard's defensive prowess.

Sacramento is 3-3 and has allowed 122.5 points per game in the six games since LaVine was added. Zach's shooting percentage has been poor; he is only shooting 43.1% from the field and 26.1% from three-point range. It will be difficult for the Kings to deal the shooting guard until sometime in 2026 because they have two more seasons left after this one. And that dynamic illustrates how this decision calls into doubt the franchise's long-term viability.

The future course of this franchise is uncertain.

Before discussing the first step, the Kings can spend $30 million of their cap space this offseason on their roster. 

The team doesn't appear to have any other big trades in the works at this time. This raises the question of what course this squad is taking. After three years of playing together, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan have reunited.

Those Bulls teams and the Kings have a similar dynamic. An outstanding offensive center and two talented guards with defensive shortcomings, along with some unpredictability elsewhere. But there is no denying that this Kings' roster is more talented.

On both ends, Domanatas Sabonis is a considerably superior player to Nikola Vucevic, while Keegan Murray and Malik Monk are reliable NBA starters. Murray, who is only 24 years old, still has some promising potential.

At just 28, Sabonis remains one of the NBA's top big men. With a deal that expires in 2028, the three-time All-Star still has four to five years left in his peak. Given the team's trajectory two years ago, it would be sad if Sacramento were to move Sabonis in the end.

The Kings were coming off one of their best seasons ever in 2023. Furthermore, the average age of their roster was under 26, and the success seemed to be long-lasting. This corporation would apparently field a competitive team moving forward, even if it did not win a title.

That continued competitiveness isn't so sure at 28-27 and ninth in the Western Conference. The team may be able to build around one of these new selections. Fans might not be expecting Sacramento to make another big trade. However, it does not appear that the De'Aron Fox trade produced a sufficient return at this time. Additionally, this squad now has more questions following a trade deadline that was meant to provide the Kings greater clarity on their future.