The NBA trade world just got rocked with a blockbuster deal, and fans are in for a wild ride! The Sacramento Kings are shaking things up in a major way, finalizing a trade that will send their franchise star, De'Aaron Fox, to the San Antonio Spurs. In return, they’re bringing in Bulls' guard Zach LaVine along with a massive haul of draft picks. But that’s not all—this is a multi-team deal with several moving parts, shifting key players across the league.
The Breakdown of This Multi-Team Trade
Let’s unpack the details of this high-stakes trade:
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De'Aaron Fox heads to San Antonio, along with Sacramento guard Jordan McLaughlin.
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Zach LaVine moves to the Kings, giving Sacramento a proven scorer.
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The Kings also receive three first-round picks (2025 Hornets, 2027 Spurs, and 2031 Timberwolves) and three second-round picks (2025 Bulls, 2028 Nuggets, and their own 2028 pick back).
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San Antonio is also shipping guard Sidy Cissoko to Sacramento.
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Chicago regains its own 2025 pick from San Antonio, along with Spurs players Zach Collins and Tre Jones and Kings’ sharpshooter Kevin Huerter.
Whew! That’s a lot of movement, but what does it all mean for each team involved?
What This Trade Means for the Sacramento Kings
For Sacramento, this is a major shake-up. The Kings have been trying to break into serious playoff contention since their exciting 2022-23 season, when they snapped a brutal 16-year playoff drought and Fox earned All-NBA honors. However, things haven’t quite clicked since then. Last season, they fell just short in the final play-in game, and this year’s rocky start led to the firing of head coach Mike Brown in December. Clearly, they felt something had to change.
Bringing in Zach LaVine adds another dynamic scorer to their lineup. LaVine, 29, is coming off a strong season with the Bulls, putting up 24 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He’s been scorching from the field, shooting a career-high 51.1% overall and a deadly 44.6% from three-point range. The Kings will need that kind of efficiency if they want to make a deep run.
But there’s a financial cost to this move—LaVine is owed $46 million next year and holds a $49 million player option for 2026-27. That’s a big commitment, but Sacramento clearly believes he’s worth the price.
De'Aaron Fox: A New Beginning in San Antonio
Fox, 27, has been the face of the Kings for his entire career, ranking fourth in franchise history in points scored. He’s been an electrifying presence on the court, especially in that 2022-23 season when he helped Sacramento finally return to the postseason. But with just one more year left on his contract after this season, he hadn’t shown a strong willingness to commit long-term. That put the Kings in a tough spot—either let him walk for nothing or make a move now.
Enter the Spurs, who see Fox as a perfect fit alongside their young superstar Victor Wembanyama. Fox’s speed, playmaking, and ability to take over games will give San Antonio an instant boost as they try to climb back into contention. This season, he’s averaging over 25 points per game, along with five rebounds and 6.2 assists—numbers that should translate well in Gregg Popovich’s system.
Fox isn’t going to San Antonio alone—he’ll be joined by Jordan McLaughlin, a solid depth piece for the Spurs' backcourt.
Chicago’s Play in This Deal
The Bulls, meanwhile, have been looking for ways to retool their roster, and this trade helps them in a few key ways. By moving LaVine, they free up cap space and get back some valuable assets, including their own 2025 first-round pick from the Spurs. That’s a big deal, as it gives them more control over their future.
They also receive Zach Collins and Tre Jones from San Antonio, two players who can help fill immediate roster needs, plus Kevin Huerter from Sacramento, a deadly shooter who can stretch the floor. While this trade doesn’t necessarily push the Bulls into immediate contention, it does give them more flexibility moving forward.
The Big Picture: Who Won This Trade?
With any trade, the big question is: Who came out on top? Let’s break it down:
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Sacramento Kings: They get a proven scorer in LaVine, plus a truckload of draft picks. If LaVine stays healthy and fits into their system, this could be a big win.
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San Antonio Spurs: They land a true star in Fox to pair with Wembanyama, making them much more competitive right away.
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Chicago Bulls: They clear LaVine’s contract while regaining their 2025 pick and adding solid rotation players. A smart long-term move.
Overall, this trade shakes up multiple teams and could have long-term ramifications for the Western Conference playoff race. Whether it pays off will depend on how these players fit into their new teams—and, of course, whether those draft picks turn into future stars. One thing’s for sure: The NBA never disappoints when it comes to high-stakes drama!
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