Major Reason Led to Breakup Between De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings Ahead of Spurs Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Feb 8, 2025 9:00 AM ET

One of the biggest moves of the NBA trade deadline was the Sacramento Kings sending their star guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, and a recent report suggests why the move was made.

Of course, the Kings and Fox were unable to agree on a new contract extension in the offseason as the 27-year-old was waiting to see how Sacramento would look before committing to a future with the team. Sacramento then had a terrible start to the season, leading to them firing head coach Mike Brown and replacing him with Doug Christie.

The Kings then turned their season around under Christie, but Fox had still not committed to the team long-term. Because of this, Sacramento made him available for trade, leading to them trading him to his preferred landing spot in San Antonio.

Fox had spent all seven years of his career with the Kings after he was selected fifth overall by them in the 2017 draft, but it was clear that the two sides were growing apart, and we now know why.

On Friday’s episode of D-Lo & KC, Damien Barling reported that the major reason that the Kings and Fox grew apart was due to the firing of Brown.

“And De’Aaron basically said if you don’t (extend Mike Brown) like send me,” Barling said about the Kings’ contract negotiations with Brown before the season. “I’m not playing for another coach. Like we’re not going to keep doing this. If Mike’s not coming back, then send me somewhere else.”

Of course, the Kings and Brown did agree to a long-term contract extension, but it did not last long as Sacramento fired Brown in late December.

“I take this as they’re moving on from me,” Barling said about Fox once the Kings let go of Brown.

Fox and Brown had a great relationship, and it is now clear that his firing was the boiling point for Fox. With the star guard not wanting to play under another coach, he then decided to not commit to the Kings long-term, which eventually led to them trading him, which is what he wanted.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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