Report: Fox avoiding extension to see how Kings roster takes shape

Report: Fox avoiding extension to see how Kings roster takes shape originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox still has two years left on his contract, but that doesn’t mean the Sacramento star isn’t already thinking about his future.

Fox decided not to sign a contract extension with the Kings this year, in part because the NBA All-Star “wants to see how the roster takes shape long-term,” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Sam Amick reported Monday, citing league sources.

The Kings have secured a large portion of their roster for the near future after reportedly agreeing to bring back sixth man Malik Monk. a four-year contract worth $78 million. And, according to Slater and Amick, Sacramento recently offered his 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to the Chicago Bulls for guard Alex Caruso, meaning an off-season impact could very well be on the way.

Fox last Wednesday said he is grateful have some “stability” on the coaching staff as well, after Mike Brown and the Kings agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract extension.

“We always talk about having that kind of stability. I’m not saying you want to stagnate or anything like that, but just knowing that you’re going to have sort of a nucleus and then a coach – obviously in this league, [ex-Detroit Pistons coach] Monty Williams was just fired today, so everything could change in the blink of an eye.

“You never know. But feeling like you have that stability going forward is definitely great and you look to build on that.”

In November 2020, Fox signed a five-year, $163 million contract extension with the Kings that is expected to keep him in Sacramento through the 2025-26 NBA season. From 2020-21 to 2023-24, Fox averaged 25.8 points, 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds, making his first team All-Star and third team All-NBA in 2022-23.

As Slater and Amick noted in their reporting, Fox could qualify for a significantly larger maximum extension if he makes the All-NBA team next season. There is still a lot to be done this off-season if Sacramento wants to return to the NBA playoffs and pursue a championship, as Fox is considering before committing to 916 long-term.