Report: Kings opening up Fox trade talks; star prefers Spurs

The Sacramento Kings are ready to listen to offers for De'Aaron Fox.

Sacramento is expected to open discussions with potential suitors for its franchise star ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The point guard declined to sign an extension with the Kings over the summer and is on course to become a free agent after next season. Multiple teams are expected to show interest in the 27-year-old; however, he's believed to have a preferred landing spot in free agency in 2026, according to Charania.

If Fox is traded, his preferred destination is the San Antonio Spurs, sources told James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento.

Though he hasn't requested a trade outright, teams have surveyed Fox's situation amid a tumultuous campaign for Sacramento. The Spurs were reportedly monitoring the guard in December as his agent Rich Paul met with the Kings' front office.

A week after that meeting, the Kings fired head coach Mike Brown. However, Fox rebuked rumors that he had complained to management about Brown as "bullshit."

The Houston Rockets are also expected to discuss a possible Fox deal with the Kings, sources told NBA insider Marc Stein. However, Houston's reported priority is sticking with its current roster, which now sits second in the West behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Brooklyn Nets also see Fox as a trade target, according to the New York Post's Brian Lewis. Former Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez now serves as the bench boss in Brooklyn.

Fox is in his eighth season with the Kings, who drafted him fifth overall in 2017. The former All-Star is averaging 25.2 points, 6.2 assists, five rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 43 starts. Fox's name already frequently appears near the top of the franchise's all-time leaderboards. He ranks fifth in career field goals with 4,070, fourth in total points (11,025), fourth in threes (785), fourth in assists (3,137), and second in steals (730).