A new report indicates that the likelihood of Indiana Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis being traded for Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox is a slim one.
"My indication as of a couple weeks ago was that…the Pacers just simply weren't interested in a [Domantas] Sabonis for [De'Aaron] Fox deal. So, it would have to be something bigger than that, and I don't think the Kings would go there." (via @sam_amick on @Sports1140KHTK) pic.twitter.com/a6U1aATswJ
— The Trade Deadline (@_TradeDeadline) February 4, 2022
Both players are former lottery picks. Sabonis was the No. 11 overall pick in 2016, and Fox was the No. 5 overall choice a year later.
The exact reasoning for the Pacers’ apparent reluctance to trade Sabonis for Fox is unclear, though Indiana might simply value Sabonis more than that.
While trading Fox appears to be an option for the Kings, it doesn’t sound like they want to attach additional assets to a deal involving Fox in order to acquire Sabonis.
This season, Sabonis is averaging 19.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. His numbers are a clear indication that he commands plenty on the trade market.
On the other hand, Fox is also putting up solid numbers as a key member of Sacramento’s backcourt. He’s averaging 21.0 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
In 2020, Fox signed a five-year contract extension with the Kings worth $163 million. This season, he’s making a little over $28 million, and he is set to make more than $30 million in every other remaining year of the deal.
Both teams have until this coming Thursday to come to any possible deal. However, unless something changes soon, it doesn’t sound like Fox and Sabonis will be switching uniforms.
