The Kings had a better record than the Rockets with 46 wins last season, but general manager Monte McNair wasn't happy with that.
The Kings have bigger goals, and Monte McNair has bolstered the team in the offseason. Fox, Sa, DeRozan, Murray, and Monk look like the king's attack power is very strong.
The Kings made a trade in the early hours of the morning, sending Jalen McDaniels, a 2031 second-round pick and some cash to the Spurs in exchange for a second-round pick protected by the top 55 pick.
Salary expert Bobby Marks said the Kings have a total salary of $5.8 million below the luxury tax line after completing the deal, and there are still two spots left on the roster.
The Kings' 3-for-1 trade is just an appetizer, and former Rockets executive Monte McNair is still mulling a bigger deal.
McNair has been with the Rockets since 2007, serving as Senior Analyst of Basketball Operations, Director of Basketball Operations, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Assistant General Manager. McNair, who has worked in Houston for 13 years, has the experience and ability to work on drafts, trades, and free agent signings.
The Kings purged management, poached McNair, and made him the team's general manager. McNair lived up to the expectations of his boss and he brought the Kings back to the playoffs with a series of maneuvers and earned him the honor of best general manager in the league. McNair's style is more radical than the cautious Stone.
Team reporter Jason Anderson revealed that the Kings are planning a big trade. There is speculation among fans that the Kings may trade Fox.
Shams doesn't expect Fox to sign a contract extension with the Kings this year, but instead wait until next offseason to secure a big contract.
Fox, who earns an annual salary of $34.85 million this season, averaged 26.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game last season while shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three-point range and 73.8 percent from the free throw line. Compared to Van Jordan, Fox's contract is really good value.
Fox's agent is Rich Paul, who is also Van Jordan's agent. Rich Paul helped Van Jordan get a big contract from the Rockets, and this time he also wants to maximize Fox's interests.
There are Rockets fans who want to trade Jalen Green plus a first-round pick for Fox.
Fox is 26 years old and 1.91 meters tall, he can break through, shoot, and pass, and has been selected as an All-Star and won the steal king. NBA Analysis Network has said that Rockets general manager Stone may be interested in Fox.
Fox averaged 2.9 three-pointers per game last season, producing a decent amount of production, and his offensive efficiency was significantly better than that of Jalen Green. Fox's age also meets Stone's requirements. Houston media revealed that the Rockets want to bring in a star of the year of play, not a star of the end of his career.
Fox and Sasa found chemistry, and their cooperation became more and more tacit. Udoka likes to play one-to-five pick-and-rolls, and the Rockets' starting center Alperen Sengun has similar characteristics to Sa. Theoretically, Fox and Sengun would be good matches.
Fox admires Sengun. Sengun was injured last season and Fox said: "For a big man, the weight on his leg is a lot. Obviously, we hope he's okay. We don't want to see anyone get hurt in any game. Given his performances this year, we all definitely don't want to see that.
Van Jordan also has a $44.89 million team option for the 2025-2026 season, which the Rockets can choose not to exercise to make him a free agent next summer to free up salary space to bring in a star.
It is worth mentioning that both Fox and Shepard are from the University of Kentucky. Booker, also from the University of Kentah, is considered the number one target for the Rockets trade.