While on “The Draymond Green Show” this week, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox said he enjoys playing in Sactown and would love to retire with the team, but Fox also mentioned that he wants to win.
Kings Rumors: De’Aaron Fox Could Sign A Supermax Extension Next Summer
Fox, who turns 27 on Dec. 20, is in the fourth season of the five-year, $164 million rookie-scale contract extension that he signed in 2020. The eight-year veteran is aiming to qualify for a supermax extension next summer.
However, even if Fox receives an All-NBA honor, it doesn’t guarantee that he’ll re-sign with the team. The All-Star guard is still trying to determine whether or not the Kings are committed to winning.
If Fox is looking for a championship, the eight-year veteran might not be in the right place. The Kings ended their 16-year playoff drought in 2023 and missed the postseason last season.
“It all has to do with the team, the organization, where are we going. I want to make sure that we’re in a position to try and win in the future because that’s ultimately what I want to do. I know I’ll make enough money regardless of where I play or what I do, I’m going to be fine,” said Fox.
Kings Have Never Reached The NBA Finals While In Sacramento
More importantly, the Kings have three first-round series losses and just one Western Conference finals appearance this century. They suffered a heart-breaking Game 7 loss to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002.
That was the closest the franchise had ever come to winning a title in Sacramento.
“Are we looking like we’re continuing to get better year after year, and are we going to compete at a high level? That’s all mine is, if we could show that this year, you sign an extension now,” added Fox.
“If not, I still have another year, but that’s where my mindset is. At some point, will we be able to compete for a championship or compete at a high level for a long time?”
Although the Sacramento Kings have never reached the NBA Finals, the Rochester Royals did in 1951. The Royals defeated the New York Knicks in seven games to win the championship.
Fox Loves Sacramento And Hopes To Retire With Team
During the offseason, the Kings acquired DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls through a three-team sign-and-trade. Harrison Barnes was sent to the San Antonio Spurs in the deal.
The move was supposed to bolster Sacramento’s frontcourt, but the team is currently 13-14 record and sits 11th in the Western Conference standings.
“That’s where I’m at. I love the city, I love being here, and I raised my family here. Would love to be here and retire here. How many people can say they played for one organization for their whole career? I also wanna win. They know I am going to give all I got, but at the end of the day, the organization has also got to give all they got. That’s where we are right now,” Fox continued.
Through 27 games (all starts) this season, he’s averaging 26.2 points, 6.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and career highs of 5.1 rebounds and 37.3 minutes per contest. The Kentucky product is also shooting 48.2% from the field, 32.4% from 3-point range, and a career-best 79.7% at the foul line.
The Kings begin a five-game homestand on Thursday with back-to-back contests against the Lakers.
