Kings Willing To Trade De’Aaron Fox For Domantas Sabonis

Domantas Sabonis, De'Aaron Fox, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings are two of the top teams to watch. Two players who have come into focus include De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

The market for Myles Turner is surely tempered after the news dropped about his foot injury. There is uncertainty about the severity of it and clarity may not come until after the NBA trade deadline. For now, it’s being described as a ‘stress reaction’ and it could be a short-term issue.

For the Pacers, there could be greater pursuit of Domantas Sabonis from prospective suitors at the NBA trade deadline — helping to take the guesswork out of which center to part with.

According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, the Kings have ‘stepped up’ their trade pursuit of Domantas Sabonis and are willing to part with De’Aaron Fox to get a deal done.

A league source told The Sacramento Bee the Kings have stepped up their pursuit of Indiana Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis and they are including Fox in those discussions. Fox was so far off the table he wasn’t discussed when the Kings approached the Philadelphia 76ers about Ben Simmons last summer, sources with knowledge of the talks told The Bee, but now Fox is reportedly part of those conversations as well.

The Pacers would be breaking up the two center frontcourt they have and would then be able to slide Malcolm Brogdon over to the shooting guard position, which he is far better suited to play. However, there would then be overlap on the perimeter with Brogdon, Caris LaVert, and Chris Duarte.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Domantas Sabonis Trade Is ‘Option Two’ For Sacramento Kings

At the very least, the Pacers would have a pick-and-pop threat that can play-finish in the paint, attack the rim from out in space, and has shown growth posting up switches all in addition to being elite at protecting the rim.

Perhaps one of the more intriguing aspects of Anderson’s reporting is the mention that Indiana already has offers including All-Stars for potential Sabonis trades.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Domantas Sabonis Trade Is ‘Option Two’ For Sacramento Kings

In fact, Fox alone wouldn’t be enough. Sacramento could ‘get Indiana’s attention’ by including ‘one or two draft picks’ along with him in an offer.

The Pacers are seeking an All-Star caliber player in return for Sabonis and have received offers matching their criteria, a source told The Bee. Fox has yet to achieve All-Star status, but a deal involving Fox and one or more draft picks could get Indiana’s attention.

Given how the Indiana Pacers have yet to acquire De’Aaron Fox in a trade, it seems clear that offers for better players either are on the table, or is a hope to get closer to the NBA trade deadline.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Domantas Sabonis Trade Is ‘Option Two’ For Sacramento Kings

During the 2021-22 season, De’Aaron Fox has appeared in 42 games and is averaging 20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists but is shooting just 25.3 percent from beyond the arc. Last season, he had a highly impressive run to close things out and finished with averages of 25.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.2 assists.

Domantas Sabonis also had a stronger 2020-21 campaign with averages of 20.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists but has seen a bit of a decline as his team also has emphasized other players more.

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