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Fox made risky contract decision during the summer

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

De'Aaron Fox made a risky contract decision during the summer

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 12/6/23

De'Aaron Fox has developed into one of the most entertaining guards in the NBA. The Sacramento Kings speedster helped lead his team out of a 16-season playoff drought last season while also making the All-NBA third team and earning his first All-Star selection.

According to Chris Haynes, who was speaking on an episode of "#ThisLeagueUNCUT" and was later reported by Marc Stein, Fox turned down a two-year $100M contract offer this summer. Haynes noted that Fox has his eyes set on a supermax contract. Nevertheless, both Fox and the Kings wish to extend their partnership.

"Haynes reported on Monday’s TNT broadcast of New Orleans’ IST quarterfinal victory in Sacramento that the Kings have extended the maximum allowable extension offer to Fox, which is a two-year deal in the $100M range," Stein wrote in his SteinLine newsletter. "The Kings, mind you, did so knowing that Fox would turn the offer down in hopes of becoming supermax eligible this summer. Make no mistake: Both the Kings and Fox want to continue their fruitful partnership."

Fox has enjoyed an excellent start to the new season. In 14 games, he's averaging 30.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists, shooting 47.9% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. If the seventh-year guard can continue to produce at his current level, another All-NBA selection will beckon.

Fox is in a tough spot in terms of earning a supermax contract. A player needs to have completed seven years of service before becoming eligible. However, they also need to hit certain milestones. Fox is not an MVP or Defensive Player of the Year candidate. As such, his route to a supermax deal is based on All-NBA appearances.

According to Spotrac, Fox's eligibility will hinge on whether he's named to an All-NBA team this season.

"Player was named to All-NBA First, Second or Third team in most reason season or both of the two seasons prior to the most recent season ... Based on 2021 offseason, player was named to any All-NBA team in 2020-21 OR was named to any All-NBA team in 2018-19 and 2019-20."

Fox was an All-NBA selection in 2022, but his contract negotiations will start after the current season. He was not selected for an All-NBA team in 2021, so will need to make the cut this year in order to earn eligibility.

Turning down $100M was a confident move by the Kings' guard. He's started the season ready to prove himself right. Now, he needs to maintain his current production level and help his team make a push for the playoffs.

Given his exceptional talent and skill, that should be enough for Fox to make his second straight All-NBA team.

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