Kings have a tough decision to make over De'Aaron Fox

De'Aaron Fox's long-term future with the Sacramento Kings has been in doubt since he refused to sign a contract extension this summer. The speedy guard has since been seen as a potential trade target for teams around the NBA over the next 18 months. 

On Friday, the Kings parted ways with Mike Brown just six months after he signed a long-term contract extension with the franchise. Brown had stabilized an often erratic Kings franchise, ending the team's playoff drought and building a respectable roster.

With Brown now out of the picture and the Kings struggling in a loaded Western Conference, all eyes are on Fox. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, there are growing questions throughout the NBA regarding whether the Kings could make Fox available for trade ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.

"The biggest question for rival executives is if Sacramento would consider gauging the trade market on Fox, whose long-term future is uncertain," Scotto reported. "Some around the league believe it would take a trade request for the Kings to consider moving Fox. If Sacramento gauges the market on Fox, the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat have been among the early candidates linked with possible interest."

Fox is the Kings' best player. His ability to create for himself and others, dictate the tempo of games and force defenses into difficult decisions ensure Sacramento is an unpredictable opponent. Without him leading the line, the Kings would quickly fall out of the playoff picture. 

Still, Fox's contract has one year left to run after this season. If the front office can't convince him to sign an extension, it must find a way to maximize his value to the franchise, and that would likely involve a trade. The longer the front office waits to make that decision, the lower the return on a potential deal will be. 

The Kings front office has a tough decision ahead of it. The addition of DeMar DeRozan during the summer was supposed to take them to the next level. Instead, they're stuttering, and the future of their best player has become somewhat of a dark cloud hanging over them. 

Moving on from Fox won't be easy. He has been with the franchise since entering the NBA as the fifth overall pick in 2017. However, if the alternative is potentially losing him for nothing in 18 months, then it might be best to rip the Band-Aid off now. No matter what happens, this season is unlikely to go according to plan. 

Fox has the right to look out for his career and its interests. Now, the Kings must approach things with the same mentality.