De’Aaron Fox to the Lakers 👀 .. what do you think ? (via Basketball Forever )

The NBA trade rumor mill never rests, and one of the most recent whispers to surface involves Sacramento Kings’ star point guard De’Aaron Fox potentially making his way to the Los Angeles Lakers. As the Lakers continue their pursuit of another championship, the idea of pairing Fox with LeBron James and Anthony Davis has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA landscape. It’s easy to see why the Lakers would be interested in Fox: he’s one of the most dynamic point guards in the league today, with a unique blend of speed, playmaking, and scoring ability.

But what would this move mean for the Lakers? How would De’Aaron Fox fit alongside LeBron and Davis? Would the Lakers be sacrificing something important by adding Fox? And most importantly, would this trade push them closer to their goal of winning another NBA title?

Who is De’Aaron Fox?

De’Aaron Fox is quickly becoming one of the premier point guards in the NBA. Since being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2017, Fox has steadily improved each season, establishing himself as the leader of the Kings’ backcourt. Known for his blistering speed, Fox has the ability to push the ball in transition, break down defenses, and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His electrifying first step and ability to blow by defenders make him one of the toughest players to contain in the open court.

In addition to his speed, Fox is also a solid playmaker. He’s not just a scoring point guard—he’s capable of running an offense and making smart decisions with the basketball. Over the years, Fox’s court vision has improved, allowing him to dish out assists to his teammates and set them up for easy scoring opportunities. He’s averaged over 6 assists per game in each of the past two seasons, and his ability to break down defenses and create open looks is a skill the Lakers could definitely use.

Fox’s scoring ability is another key aspect of his game. He’s a dynamic scorer who can attack the rim with authority and hit jump shots from mid-range or beyond the arc. His 3-point shooting has improved over the years, making him a legitimate threat from long range. His versatility as a scorer would give the Lakers an additional offensive weapon to take some of the pressure off LeBron James, who is still the focal point of their offense.

Perhaps most importantly for the Lakers, Fox is a young and hungry player. At just 26 years old, he’s entering his prime, and he has the potential to grow into a true leader on a championship-contending team. His ability to push the pace in transition and play both ends of the floor could make him a perfect complement to LeBron and Anthony Davis, two of the best two-way players in the league.

What Would De’Aaron Fox Bring to the Lakers?

The Lakers have been a team in flux for the past couple of seasons, trying to find the right mix of talent to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While the team has certainly made strides—particularly with their improved defense and bench depth—one of their biggest weaknesses has been their backcourt. Outside of LeBron James, the Lakers have lacked a true playmaking point guard who can run the offense, facilitate, and create offense for others. With Russell Westbrook now gone, this hole remains one of the Lakers’ most glaring needs.

De’Aaron Fox would be a massive upgrade in that department. He would provide the Lakers with a true point guard capable of running the offense efficiently and alleviating some of the playmaking pressure on LeBron James. LeBron, as we know, is one of the best passers in the NBA, but at his age, he shouldn’t be expected to play the role of a full-time point guard. Fox would allow LeBron to focus on scoring and other responsibilities, knowing that Fox could handle the ball and set up plays when necessary.

Moreover, Fox’s speed and explosiveness in transition would give the Lakers a new dimension on the fast break. In previous seasons, the Lakers have thrived in transition, with LeBron James leading the charge and Anthony Davis finishing plays at the rim. But adding Fox to the equation would give the team another player who excels in the open court, allowing them to turn defense into offense even more efficiently. Fox’s ability to attack the basket, hit pull-up jumpers, and create for others would make the Lakers even more dangerous in fast-break situations.

On defense, Fox is no slouch either. While he may not be a lockdown defender, he is a solid on-ball defender with the speed and athleticism to stay in front of opposing guards. He’s also proven capable of being a disruptor in passing lanes and applying pressure on the ball. Pairing Fox with LeBron and Davis in a defensive scheme would make the Lakers’ defense even more imposing, as all three players are capable of locking down multiple positions and protecting the rim when necessary.

How Would Fox Fit Next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis?

The fit of De’Aaron Fox alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis is an intriguing one. For one, Fox would be able to play a complementary role to LeBron, taking over some of the playmaking duties while still being a scoring threat in his own right. LeBron thrives when he has players who can space the floor and relieve him of some of the burden, and Fox’s ability to break down defenses and create scoring opportunities would give LeBron more freedom to focus on scoring and facilitating in the half-court.

Fox’s ability to shoot the three-ball would also help space the floor for Davis and LeBron, who both operate best when they have room to drive to the basket. The Lakers need more shooters around LeBron and Davis to maximize their effectiveness, and Fox’s steady improvement from long range would help open up the floor and prevent opposing defenses from packing the paint.

On the defensive end, the Lakers would be able to deploy a versatile, switchable lineup. Fox is a strong defender for his position, and alongside LeBron and Davis, the Lakers would have one of the most imposing defensive trios in the league. Davis, in particular, is one of the best rim protectors in the game, and with Fox’s quickness and LeBron’s basketball IQ, the Lakers could form a terrifying defensive unit that can shut down nearly any opponent.

In terms of fit with the rest of the Lakers’ roster, Fox would likely slide into the starting point guard role, with LeBron James at small forward and Anthony Davis at power forward. The Lakers’ current shooting guard and small forward spots—occupied by players like Austin Reaves, Malik Beasley, and others—would likely be used to complement Fox’s skill set. Reaves, in particular, could benefit from playing alongside Fox, as his off-ball movement and ability to shoot the three would complement Fox’s playmaking. The Lakers would still need to address the shooting guard position, but Fox would instantly provide a massive upgrade at the point guard position.

The Trade: What Would It Take?

If the Lakers are serious about acquiring De’Aaron Fox, it would likely take a significant trade package to pry him away from the Sacramento Kings. The Kings are a team that has shown steady improvement in recent years and is trying to build around young talents like Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray. They won’t simply give up their star point guard without receiving substantial value in return.

For the Lakers, a potential trade for Fox would likely include a combination of players and picks. The Lakers have a relatively deep roster with several tradable assets, including role players like D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Mo Bamba. However, the Kings would probably want a young player with potential and draft picks as part of the deal. A package centered around D’Angelo Russell, who can fill the point guard role for the Kings, combined with a few future first-round picks, could be enough to get the conversation started.

That said, acquiring Fox could be a risky move for the Lakers, as they would need to part with valuable assets that could help with depth and future flexibility. Moreover, the Lakers would have to ensure that their roster remains balanced after making such a trade. If the Lakers were to give up too much, they could risk hurting their long-term plans, especially if the trade doesn’t immediately push them over the top.

Is De’Aaron Fox the Missing Piece for the Lakers?

Adding De’Aaron Fox to the Lakers would certainly make them more dynamic and dangerous, but is he the missing piece the team needs to contend for a title? The answer depends on what the Lakers truly need to fix.

While the Lakers’ backcourt has been a weak point in recent years, their primary concern remains the frontcourt, where Anthony Davis’ health and LeBron James’ aging are major factors. If the Lakers can stay healthy, the addition of Fox could elevate their offensive game and make them more competitive, especially against teams that play up-tempo. However, the Lakers may still need to add more shooting and depth in other areas to make themselves real contenders.