Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox ‘not worried at all’ about trade rumors as deadline looms
De’Aaron Fox shrugged off trade rumors following a loss to the Detroit Pistons after a new report outlined the Kings organization’s “current mindset” leading up to the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline.
Fox has been the subject of intense trade speculation in recent days after multiple reports surfaced suggesting the Kings were willing to include their 24-year-old point guard in talks with the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers for All-Stars Ben Simmons and Domantas Sabonis. Fox said he wasn’t concerned about being traded after the Kings suffered a 133-131 loss to the Pistons on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center.
“These things are part of the business,” Fox said. “Am I worried about anything? No. Do I know stuff can happen? Yeah, but I’m not worried at all.”
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday the Kings had informed Fox’s agent, Chris Gaston of Family First Sports, they do not want to trade Fox, reasserting their desire to build around him and Tyrese Haliburton. The report added that any potential deal involving Fox and Sabonis will not happen, citing team sources.
That revelation came after days of reports from The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Sacramento Bee indicating the Kings were in pursuit of Simmons and Sabonis, and were willing to include Fox in talks with the 76ers and Pacers.
Fox was asked Wednesday if Sacramento needs new life and new energy in the locker room before the trade deadline arrives. The Kings (18-29) have lost seven of nine to fall 1 ½ games behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
“I think the people that are here need to — we want to play better,” Fox said. “Offensively, we’re fine. We need to buckle down and get stops.”
Interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry was also asked if the Kings are need of a shakeup.
“I think that will be something that management will decide,” Gentry said. “All my everything and all my energy is on coaching the team, and then whatever happens, happens, but I pour all my energy into trying to get this team to play better and finish games like tonight.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2022 at 1:50 AM.
