Though the Kings star is making his future intentions clear, he's doing so while giving Sacramento a chance to fully evaluate the market.

The initial framing, back in July, was that De’Aaron Fox had merely taken a calculated financial gamble by holding off an extension. It was common knowledge that he would have access to even

The six-time All-Star addressed the situation on FanDuel’s “Run It Back” podcast as trade talks swirl in Sacramento.

De’Aaron Fox has supplanted Jimmy Butler as the top available trade target on the market a week before the NBA trade deadline, which could lead to a domino effect across the league. Amid Fox’s newfound availability on the trade market,

Fox is the new name on the market after sending signals he doesn't want to commit long term to the Kings. Meanwhile, Butler remains suspended as the Heat decide his future.

Regardless of whether the Sacramento Kings move De'Aaron Fox by the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, they need to recognize this as an organizational pivot point.

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that several teams have been reaching out to Kings regarding De'Aaron Fox ahead of 2025 NBA trade deadline

“In this business, you have to put those emotions aside,” Fox said. “Obviously, everybody especially who were here during that long (postseason drought), and who was on this team when we made the playoffs, obviously that means a lot to everybody.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been linked to just about every big name on the trade market over the last month. Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, and even Bradley Beal have all been floated as possible additions. Some of those rumors have legs, others are pure speculation.

The Sacramento Kings made a splash in the 2024 offseason, acquiring six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan via sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls. Pairing DeRozan with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis was an incredible move on paper, but the Kings have had an underwhelming season.

The Spurs find themselves in an unusual position - right in the middle of one of the biggest trade rumors in the league.