While Fox is likely to sign an extension with the Spurs if he’s traded there, other inquiring teams are likely viewing him as a rental (he’s under contract through 2025/26), and the Kings will have to evaluate those offers as such.

The Sacramento Kings have revealed their asking price for De'Aaron Fox in trade discussions as trade rumors heat up.

Dec 30, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Kings coach Doug Christie talked to the media about the trade rumors surrounding Sacramento star guard De'Aaron Fox ahead of Tuesday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The six-time All-Star addressed the situation on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” podcast as trade talks swirl in Sacramento.

It’s tough because looking at the landscape before I came here those were the guys I talked to, Fox, Domantas, and Malik,” DeRozan said. “Those are the core guys that made it easy for me to make

Fox is the new name on the market after sending signals he doesn't want to commit long term to the Kings. Meanwhile, Butler remains suspended as the Heat decide his future.

The Kings’ first game since the news came to light didn’t make matters any better, either. A bad 117-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers put them at 1-3 on their current six-game road trip with the Western Conference’s first-place Oklahoma City Thunder and the heating-up Minnesota Timberwolves still ahead.

The "Light the Beam" era of the Sacramento Kings is rapidly devolving into yet another dark time for the forlorn franchise. De'Aaron Fox's refusal to sign a contract extension has forced the Kings to recoup whatever value they can retain on the trade market before the Feb.

Though the Kings star is making his future intentions clear, he's doing so while giving Sacramento a chance to fully evaluate the market.

“In this business, you have to put those emotions aside,” Fox said. “Obviously, everybody especially who were here during that long (postseason drought), and who was on this team when we made the playoffs, obviously that means a lot to everybody.