Everyone knew it was coming, but it still felt like a punch to the gut when the notification finally popped up. On February 3, 2025, the Sacramento Kings officially ended an era by shipping De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a massive three-team construction that also involved the Chicago Bulls.
Looking back from the vantage point of early 2026, the De'Aaron Fox trade grade for each side has shifted from "shocking" to "strategically clear." This wasn't just a random swap of stars. It was a calculated power play by Fox’s representation, Klutch Sports, and a desperate pivot for a Kings franchise that realized their ceiling had been reached.
If you're a Kings fan, it's still a bit of a sore subject. If you're a Spurs fan? You're basically watching a highlight reel every night of the most terrifying pick-and-roll in the league.
Breaking Down the Blockbuster: Who Went Where?
The trade was a monster. There’s no other way to put it. Because the Spurs had the draft capital and the Bulls were desperate to dump Zach LaVine's contract, the math actually worked out.
The Spurs landed their "Point Guard of the Future" in Fox, along with Jordan McLaughlin. To make that happen, they sent out Zach Collins and Tre Jones to Chicago, while giving up a package of picks to Sacramento.
Sacramento’s haul was a bit more complicated. They brought in Zach LaVine—a polarizing move, for sure—along with Sidy Cissoko. But the real meat for the Kings was the draft capital. They secured a 2027 unprotected first-rounder from San Antonio, a 2031 unprotected first-rounder from Minnesota, and a top-14 protected 2025 first-rounder from Charlotte. Toss in three second-round picks, and the Kings essentially decided to stockpile a war chest at the expense of their franchise player.
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Chicago, meanwhile, finally moved on from the LaVine era. They got Kevin Huerter from Sacramento, plus Jones and Collins from San Antonio. Most importantly, they got their own 2025 first-round pick back from the Spurs, which they used to select Noa Essengue.
San Antonio Spurs: Grade A
Honestly, the Spurs committed a daylight robbery here. They didn't have to give up Stephon Castle. They didn't have to give up Devin Vassell. They didn't even have to cough up the highly coveted 2025 unprotected Hawks pick.
By landing Fox, the Spurs essentially paired a former Clutch Player of the Year with Victor Wembanyama. Think about that for a second. You have the fastest guy in the league with the ball in his hands feeding a 7-foot-4 alien who can finish anything within five feet of the rim.
The De'Aaron Fox trade grade for San Antonio remains high because of the contract extension that followed. In August 2025, Fox signed a four-year, $229 million max extension. This wasn't a rental. This was a marriage. Through the first half of the 2025-26 season, Fox is averaging roughly 21 points and 6 assists. Those numbers are slightly down from his Sacramento peak, but his efficiency is up because teams can't just blitz him anymore without Wembanyama making them pay.
Sacramento Kings: Grade C+
This is where it gets messy. You never want to be the team that trades the best player in the deal, and the Kings absolutely did that.
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The logic was simple: Fox wasn't going to re-sign. He made it clear he wanted San Antonio. When a star player points to a specific city and says "take me there," the home team loses all leverage. The Kings were backed into a corner.
Landing Zach LaVine was a gamble that hasn't exactly paid off in a "win-now" sense. LaVine is still a dynamic scorer, but his injury history and massive contract make him a difficult fit next to Domantas Sabonis. The Kings are currently hovering around the .500 mark, fighting for a play-in spot.
The silver lining? Those picks. The 2031 Minnesota pick could be a goldmine if the Timberwolves' current core has aged out by then. But for a fan base that waited sixteen years for a playoff berth only to see their star walk, a "C+" feels generous to some.
Chicago Bulls: Grade B+
The Bulls were the "cleaner" in this transaction. They just wanted out of the LaVine business. By taking on the expiring contracts of Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter, plus the manageable deal of Zach Collins, they cleared their books and got their 2025 pick back.
Getting your own pick back in a year where you're rebuilding is the ultimate "get out of jail free" card. They used it on Essengue, and the early returns are promising. They aren't a playoff team yet, but they have a direction again, which is more than you could say for them in 2024.
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The Rich Paul Factor
You can't talk about this trade without mentioning Rich Paul. This was a masterclass in player empowerment.
Fox had a year and a half left on his deal when the rumors started. By narrowing his list to San Antonio, Paul ensured Fox got to a winning environment with a generational talent. He also ensured Fox got paid. By getting the trade done before the 2025 deadline, Fox became eligible for that massive $229 million extension over the summer.
It was a win for the player, even if it left a bitter taste in Sacramento.
Why This Matters Now
As we move through the 2026 season, the ripples of this trade are still being felt. San Antonio is no longer a "spooky" young team; they are a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. Fox provides the veteran poise and fourth-quarter scoring that Wembanyama needed to transition from a highlight machine to a winner.
For Sacramento, the pressure is on the front office to flip those acquired picks into a secondary star. If they don't, the Fox trade will be remembered as the moment the "Beam Team" era officially flickered out.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Spurs' Pick-and-Roll Data: The Fox-Wemby connection is currently producing 1.25 points per possession, among the highest in the league.
- Monitor the Kings' Salary Cap: With LaVine on the books, Sacramento has limited flexibility unless they use those acquired first-rounders to attach to his contract in a future deal.
- Track the 2027 Spurs Pick: If Fox and Wemby stay healthy, that pick Sacramento owns will likely be in the late 20s, significantly lowering its value.
The trade was a seismic shift in the NBA's power structure. It proved that the Spurs are done waiting, and the Kings are still trying to figure out how to stay relevant without their fastest spark.