As De’Aaron Fox’s Future Hangs in the Balance, Kings Icon Says XYO Star “Needs to Stay” for the Franchise

“I say he’s the face of the franchise.” Sacramento Kings icon holds a high regard for the last year’s NBA All-Star (2023), De’Aaron Fox. The star point guard’s refusal to sign a contract extension with the Kings this summer has drawn in the focus of the community. As his reputation grows rapidly, speculation about his future has become rampant and former Kings star Mike Bibby advises him to stay with the team.

In a video shared by The OGs Show, 3× NBA champion Udonis Haslem’s question echoed a sentiment felt by many. “The young fella De’Aaron Fox, what do you think? He stick it out in Sacramento?” he asked. Mike Bibby responded confidently, “I think he does, you know what I mean, like I say, he’s the face of the franchise.” Indeed, Fox’s early season performance was stellar.

The NBA Clutch Player of the Year (2023) was putting up impressive numbers, averaging around 28.2 points and 5.9 assists in the first 30 games, demonstrating MVP-caliber potential. Bibby believes if Fox can recapture that form he’s going to be on his way to the MVP, can demand a max, and stay with the Kings. “The franchise is on his back, I think he needs to stay,” he further opines.

Furthermore, Haslem was on par with Bibby’s assessment, stating, “I agree with you.” Continuing, he acknowledged the challenges of the Western Conference but saw potential in the Kings. Despite the toughness of the West, Fox’s commendable performance stands out. Haslem also highlighted the growing love and support from fans, emphasizing, “The fans definitely gathering around it.”

Moreover, the former Kings praised both the team and Fox, noting that the Kings are close to becoming a top contender. He believes that with just one or two more key players, the team could significantly elevate their performance. Reflecting on his own career, he added, “That’s the team that I had my best years with. So I want to see them do good, man.” Bibby played with the Kings for 7 seasons and went on to have some of the best records, though he missed out on a championship.

Fox, with two years remaining on his contract, will be a free agent after the 2025-26 season. According to Anthony Slater and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Fox wants to “see how the roster takes shape for the long haul” before committing to any extension. His decision is influenced by the team’s potential and his opportunity for a significant contract.

Fox’s future is pivotal for the Sacramento Kings, as his impact on the team and the city is undeniable, and as the Kings continue to build, retaining Fox could be the key to their success.

De’Aaron Fox and Sacramento Kings: Impact and Future

Since being drafted as the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, De’Aaron Fox has become the face of the Sacramento Kings. This past season, he averaged a career-high 26.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and a league-leading 2.0 steals per game across 74 regular-season games.

Moreover, head coach Mike Brown discussed the value of his two stars, who led Sacramento to its first playoff appearance in 16 years last spring. “We feel our top two players, Sabonis and Foxy, are just as good as anybody,” Brown said. He further explained that Fox and Sabonis are crucial to the team’s success, and the league is beginning to recognize their impact. However, he stressed the importance of performing at a high level not just in the regular season.

In 2023, former GSW star Andre Iguodala, on his Point Forward podcast, drew a compelling parallel to Ja Morant. “Fox is having an incredible year. I think he’s not being slept on but he’s averaging 30.” Evan Turner added, “I feel like if Ja Morant was doing what Fox was doing…we’d be screaming League MVP.”

So far, the Kings have landed  head coach Mike Brown and sixth-man Malik Monk. DeMar DeRozan is also expected to be joining anytime soon. If the whole result works up to be Fox’s expectation, maybe Fox stays for a max contract extension.

Will Fox continue his journey at Sacramento Kings? Or he will move on in search of a legacy. Comment down your thoughts.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.