It’s been seven months since the De’Aaron Fox trade, and the reactions remain as divided as ever. Fans and media alike criticized the Kings for what many deemed an “underwhelming return.” The backlash stemmed partly from the Kings’ refusal to take their medicine by embracing a rebuild moving forward. Instead of taking a step back and starting over, they opted to secure Zach LaVine as part of the deal.
LaVine, long the apple of Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé’s eye, had been on the trade block since the moment he signed his five-year deal back in the summer of 2022. LaVine quietly put together an impressive season last year, appearing in 74 games and averaging 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting an efficient 51% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc.
The Kings’ decision to acquire Zach LaVine forced the deal to morph into a three-team trade involving Chicago and San Antonio, rather than working directly with the Spurs. (Fun fact: San Antonio held the rights to the Bulls’ pick from the OG DeMar DeRozan trade back in 2021. Honestly, do these three teams just have each other on speed dial for trades?)
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: if the Kings had kept it as a two-team deal, they could have hypothetically included Chicago’s first-round pick, along with salary fillers like Zach Collins and Tre Jones—players who could have addressed some glaring roster needs both last season and this year.
Which brings us to the big “what if”: what if the Kings had stuck with the two-team trade? They would’ve landed Chicago’s protected first-round pick, which ultimately conveyed as the 12th overall selection in this year’s draft. That pick turned into Noa Essengue. And with a competent front office (I know, big “if”), they might have even flipped that pick for Atlanta’s infamous No. 13 trade package, where the Pelicans paid a premium to move back 10 spots for an unprotected first-rounder in next year’s draft.
But alas, these are just “what-ifs”—and quite the rabbit hole at that. Stick with me, though!
For now, the Kings are tied to LaVine and his hefty contract. But it isn’t all about LaVine when it comes to this deal. The deal included two draft picks that could end up being more valuable than some may think given the circumstances.
The Timberwolves’ 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
The Kings landed an unprotected 2031 first-round pick from Minnesota in the deal. At the time of the trade, many criticized the Kings for not securing one of Atlanta’s unprotected picks, but given the Timberwolves’ and Hawks’ current trajectories, this pick could prove to be even more valuable.
Minnesota finds itself in a precarious situation. Their future draft picks in 2026, 2027, 2029, 2030, and 2031 are entangled in various conditions and restrictions. On top of that, the team is projected to remain in salary cap hell for the next three seasons, severely limiting their ability to improve through free agency or trades.
The biggest question mark is Anthony Edwards. While the Timberwolves have been competitive during his young tenure, they’ve already exhausted a ton of the resources to build their current roster. Without a major leap from one of their young players, their ceiling appears limited. Rob Dillingham, expected to be the point guard of the future, has yet to live up to expectations, averaging just 4.5 points in 49 games during his rookie campaign.
The Timberwolves’ backcourt depth also took a hit with Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s departure to Atlanta. In terms of youth, Terrence Shannon at the wing and center Joan Beringer have shown some promise. If both Shannon and Beringer develop, they MIGHT help offset the loss of Alexander-Walker and serve as long-term replacements for the team’s aging stars. But that is no given.
Speaking of aging stars, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley are both past their primes, with Gobert’s production over the last three seasons in Minnesota not being as good as what it was in Utah. When two of your five starters are on the wrong side of the age curve and your team lacks proven young talent or draft assets, the long-term outlook becomes increasingly bleak.
By 2031, Ant Man may no longer be under contract with the Timberwolves. Given the history of star players leaving small-market teams for bigger opportunities, it wouldn’t be shocking if he followed suit. Six years is a looooonnng time in the NBA, and the odds of this pick turning into a lottery selection seem higher to me than most.
The Spurs’ 2027 First-Round Pick
The Spurs’ 2027 first-round pick is the other asset from the Fox trade. If the Spurs pick in 2027 falls in the 1-16 range, the Kings will get it. If it falls in the 17-30 range, the Oklahoma City Thunder will get it. So, the Kings need the Spurs to underperform in that season, which may sound unlikely given the hype San Antonio gets lately, but let’s take a closer look at it.
San Antonio’s outlook is a mixed bag. On one hand, they have Victor Wembanyama, arguably the league’s most electrifying prospect. On the other hand, Wemby’s health has been a concern, as he was sidelined for the remainder of last season due to a deep vein thrombosis—a blood clot in his right shoulder. Looking at the bigger picture, the Spurs have struggled during Wemby’s tenure, posting a disappointing 56-108 record over the past two seasons. Add to that a six-year playoff drought and counting, and it’s clear the franchise has been in a prolonged rebuild. While Vegas projects them to win 43.5 games this season, that would likely place them in the play-in tournament—a scenario Kings fans know all too well. It’s also worth mentioning that Vegas and others missed the mark last season, overestimating the Spurs with a 35.5-win projection.
Then there’s the actual De’Aaron Fox component — my man didn’t exactly set the world on fire during his 17 games with the team, averaging just under 20 points per game on 27% shooting from three. While Fox is undoubtedly an upgrade over Tre Jones and Chris Paul, his fit alongside a front court lacking spacing—featuring Jeremy Sochan, rookie Carter Bryant, and Luke Kornet—raises questions. The Spurs also face a logjam at guard with reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and 2025 second overall pick Dylan Harper.
The Spurs have talent, but their roster is in need of reshaping. With the 2027 draft just two years away, the Kings’ chances of securing a good pick depend on San Antonio’s ability to overcome injuries, adjust under a new full-time head coach stepping into the immense shadow of Gregg Popovich, develop their young talent, all while navigating the brutal Western Conference.
That is no given.
Trade Rumors and Future Implications
Enter the Jonathan Kuminga saga and reports indicating the Kings have floated an offer of Malik Monk, some salary fillers, and a protected 2030 first-round pick for Kuminga. However, the Warriors are rumored to be holding out for reduced protections.
Personally, I’m open to rolling the dice on Kuminga at that price—but I can’t help but worry the Kings might cave to the Warriors’ demands. There’s a chance they not only agree to loosen the protections but also throw in either or both the Spurs’ 2027 pick and the Timberwolves’ 2031 pick.
If it’s not obvious by now, I think both picks hold significant upside. That said, the Timberwolves pick, being so far out, combined with their aging roster and limited draft capital, feels like it has the potential to be a real gem.
Of course, only time will tell if these picks turn into duds or studs. But for now, I’m happy to sprinkle a little optimism into the summer doldrums—especially when the current roster and upcoming season don’t exactly scream “high upside.”