Grading The De’Aaron Fox To Spurs Trade: Who Won The Deal? (Full Breakdown)

The NBA trade season just delivered another blockbuster, as De’Aaron Fox is officially heading to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal that also involves the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls. De'Aaron Fox, who reportedly wanted to play in San Antonio with the Spurs, now gets his wish and will pair up with Victor Wembanyama to form one of the most electrifying duos in the league.

Full Trade Details:

Spurs: De'Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin

Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, 3 First Round Picks (2025 CHA, 2027 SAS, 2031 MIN), 3 Second Round Picks (2025 CHI, 2028 DEN, 2028 own back)

Bulls: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, Their Own 2025 Pick (via SAS)

The Kings move on from their All-NBA point guard by acquiring Zach LaVine, while the Bulls finally trade LaVine and clear the protections on their own first-round pick. At first glance, this deal checks a lot of boxes for each team, but that doesn’t mean every side got exactly what they wanted.

The Spurs land their franchise point guard without giving up a huge haul, Sacramento gets draft capital but takes a questionable fit in LaVine, and Chicago makes a necessary move but possibly leaves value on the table. With that said, let's break down this trade and grade every major party involved.

San Antonio Spurs: A

The Spurs just landed their point guard of the future while giving up minimal assets in the process. Fox, at 27 years old, is in the middle of his prime posting 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game as an All-Star snub in the Western Conference. 

He’s one of the fastest guards in the league, thrives in transition, and will instantly make San Antonio’s offense more dynamic. More importantly, he fills the biggest need on the Spurs' roster—a lead guard who can get Wembanyama the ball in the right spots while also being a lethal scorer himself.

San Antonio didn’t even have to gut its young core to get Fox. Losing three first-round picks hurts in theory, but with Wemby’s timeline, the goal is to win sooner rather than later. 

Fox provides immediate impact, and with a supporting cast of Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson, the Spurs now have a roster that can push for the playoffs and grow into a contender. Considering they kept all their key young players, this is a massive win for San Antonio and they can make a playoff push this season with a chance to potentially be in the title race in a few years. 

Sacramento Kings: B+

Losing an All-NBA talent like Fox is never easy, but the Kings were backed into a corner after he reportedly requested a trade. Sacramento made the best out of a bad situation, getting three first-round picks and three second-rounders to set up their future. 

However, the decision to bring in Zach LaVine instead of a true point guard is a questionable one. LaVine is a talented scorer, but he’s another shoot-first guard in a backcourt that already has Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan. That is why the Kings might opt to trade LaVine again for the right price if the season doesn't go as well as they would like. 

The Kings’ biggest issue now is playmaking. With Fox gone, Sacramento is left without a true facilitator, which could hurt their offensive balance. Still, LaVine is averaging 24.0 points per game this season and provides another scoring punch next to Domantas Sabonis. The Kings might not be better in the short term, but adding draft capital while staying competitive earns them a solid B+ grade.

Victor Wembanyama: A

This is a dream scenario for Wemby. He desperately needed a true point guard to run the offense, and now he gets Fox, one of the best-attacking guards in the league. Fox’s ability to push the pace and create for teammates will make Wembanyama’s life much easier, giving him more open looks inside and from three. 

Fox is also an unselfish player, meaning Wemby will continue to be the focal point of the team’s offense. Of all the point guards that the center could have needed, Fox is one of the better ones alongside others including Trae Young. 

On top of that, Fox’s quickness and defensive effort will help San Antonio become a more complete team. Wemby can now focus on protecting the rim while Fox handles perimeter defense against elite guards. This duo could become the foundation of a title-contending team within the next few years, making this trade a massive win for the Spurs’ generational star.

De’Aaron Fox: A

Fox got exactly what he wanted—a fresh start in San Antonio with a young superstar in Wembanyama. This isn’t just a trade for Fox; it’s an opportunity to lead a rising team that is building something special. He goes from being part of a stagnant Kings roster to a Spurs squad that is developing one of the most exciting cores in the NBA.

Additionally, this move should elevate Fox’s game. He no longer has to carry as much of the offensive load with Wemby as his running mate, and his ability to attack the rim and distribute will be maximized in the Spurs' system. Fox has a chance to lead a new era of Spurs basketball, and with his athleticism, leadership, and skillset, this could be the best situation of his career.

Zach LaVine: B-

LaVine’s tenure with the Bulls has been full of trade rumors and uncertainty, so moving to Sacramento offers him a fresh start. However, this situation isn’t necessarily ideal. He reunites with DeMar DeRozan, but that pairing didn’t work in Chicago, and now they have Sabonis as the offensive hub instead of Nikola Vucevic. The Kings' system is different, but LaVine’s fit is still questionable.

On the bright side, LaVine’s scoring remains elite. He’s averaging 24.0 points per game on 44.6% from three, and his offensive skill set is undeniable. If Sacramento can make this work, LaVine might thrive in a new system. But if things don’t click, he could easily find himself back in trade discussions by next season.

Chicago Bulls: C+

This trade signals a step toward rebuilding, but the Bulls might not have gotten enough for LaVine. Clearing his contract was necessary, and removing the top-10 protection on their 2025 first-round pick is valuable. However, getting back Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter isn’t exactly a home run return.

Chicago now has the flexibility to build toward the future, but LaVine’s value should have been higher. He’s been one of the best pure scorers in the league, and the Bulls likely could have gotten more picks or a better player in return. While this move helps reset the franchise, it still feels like a missed opportunity to maximize LaVine’s trade value.