Kings Nearly Traded De’Aaron Fox Instead of Haliburton

In a surprising turn of events during the 2022 NBA season, the Sacramento Kings were reportedly on the verge of trading their star guard De’Aaron Fox instead of Tyrese Haliburton. According to insights from Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings’ front office, led by then-general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox, was actively seeking to reshape the team into a playoff contender.

However, the Kings’ attempts to explore the market for Fox did not yield the desired results. With Fox recently signing a lucrative five-year, $160 million contract, his trade value had diminished, steering the organization towards focusing on Haliburton as a centerpiece for their rebuilding strategy. As reported by hoopswire.com, the Kings ultimately decided to trade Haliburton, along with Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson, to the Indiana Pacers. In exchange, they received Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and the promising big man Domantas Sabonis.

As the dust settled on that pivotal trade, the ramifications have been significant. This season, Sacramento opted to move Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, further reshaping their roster. Meanwhile, Haliburton has flourished in Indiana, leading the Pacers to an impressive run that has propelled them to the NBA Finals.

For the Kings, the decision to part ways with Haliburton has been a mixed bag. In 2023, Sacramento made their first playoff appearance since 2006, only to be ousted in a hard-fought seven-game series against the Golden State Warriors. However, the following seasons have been challenging. The Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs in both 2024 and the current season, leaving fans to wonder about the long-term implications of their trade strategies.

Now, with Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine anchoring the roster—LaVine being acquired in the Fox trade—the Kings are left to navigate a complex basketball landscape. The franchise is in a transitional phase, attempting to balance competitive aspirations with long-term development. As they move forward, how they build around their remaining stars will be critical in defining their future.

The contrasting fates of Fox and Haliburton serve as a reminder of the delicate nature of NBA trades and player valuations. While the Kings sought to revitalize their roster, the path they chose has left them in an uncertain position, especially with their recent struggles to return to playoff contention.

In summary, the Kings’ decision-making during that critical summer in 2022 may have far-reaching effects, both for their franchise and for the careers of their former players.