De’Aaron Fox Trade Request Reason Speculated By Insider

If Fox is traded, he would no longer be eligible to sign a Designated Veteran (supermax) extension with his new team, even if he makes an All-NBA team. A supermax can only be signed with the team that drafted the player or if the player is traded while still on their rookie deal.

The insider, in simpler terms, is indicating that the potential to secure a higher contract through re-signing or extending with the Kings is a major factor in why Fox would want to be traded instead of waiting for free agency.

If he would stay with the Sacramento Kings, Fox would have the possibility of signing a supermax extension—that is, if he meets the criteria, such as making an All-NBA team. This could result in a much larger contract compared to what he could earn if he were traded to another team.

On the other hand, if he is unhappy with the direction of the Kings or believes he has a better chance of winning a championship with another team, Fox might still consider a trade despite the financial implications.

De’Aaron Fox on Trade Rumors: “You Would Know”

When asked directly if he would want to be traded out of the Sacramento Kings, De’Aaron Fox has a straightforward answer.

“No,” Fox said in an interview. “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.”

When pressed for any preferred locations in case of a trade, De’Aaron Fox admitted to having one in mind but did not name any specific teams.

“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.”

De’Aaron Fox joined the Kings in 2017 when he was drafted as the fifth overall pick in that year’s NBA Draft.