Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox is in his eighth season with the team and is having another fantastic year. Through 27 games so far, the 27-year-old is averaging 26.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals. Additionally, he is shooting 48.3% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc. Fox is currently outplaying his 2022-23 self, the only time he made an All-Star team to this point. Unfortunately for the Kings, Fox’s performance is not leading to many wins. They are currently 13-14 and own the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference. This is despite Fox being paired with Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan.
Regardless, the season is still young, and the Kings have plenty of time to turn things around. Though they are not a winning team right now, the Kings rank as a top-10 offensive team and a top-15 defensive team in the NBA. The Kings have a talented roster and have the tools to right the ship. Recently, Fox said which once of his teammates is “underrated and underappreciated” (YouTube link).
“One thing about playing with Domas Sabonis is how much easier he makes the game. He creates so many opportunities for everyone. People think, ‘Oh, we don’t want to give him the mid-range,’ but then they start sending doubles, and he’s such a willing passer. He makes life easier for the team. What amazes me is how he can just walk to his spots, almost casually, and still score. He literally walks into position, rises up, and shoots over people like they’re not even there. You can give him the ball five possessions in a row, and he’ll find a way to score or get to the free throw line. He’s shooting 50-40-85 this year, which is insane for a big man. He’s underrated and underappreciated, but what he does for our offense—pulling bigs out, creating driving lanes, making us harder to guard—is unmatched. His consistency is what makes him special.”
Sacramento Kings Guard De’Aaron Fox Calls Domantas Sabonis ‘Underappreciated’
Domantas Sabonis’ Kings Career
Sabonis joined the Kings in 2022 after they traded for him from the Indiana Pacers for Tyrese Haliburton. Since then, Sabonis has developed into a top player in the NBA. In 2023 and 2024, Sabonis led the league in rebounds per game. Additionally, he has finished in the top-10 for MVP voting twice and has earned two All-NBA Team honors.
The Gonzaga alum also provides a lot of value on the court that goes beyond the stat sheets. Recently, head coach Mike Brown praised Sabonis’ playmaking ability. He even said he was a better playmaker than Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.
“I’m not saying Domantas Sabonis is better than Nikola Jokic or anything like that,” Brown says, “but, to me that’s why Domas is a better playmaker than Jokic.” Brown says that Jokic is one of the best passers ever, a player more akin to Aryvdas, who says of Jokic, “Look, Jokic is incredible. He can do everything. He’s not too quick, but he’s very smart.
The Last Word On De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis
Fox and Sabonis have become a top duo in the NBA. They complement each other well and helped the Kings break a 16-year playoff drought in 2023. The sky is the limit for the two as they look to bring a championship to Sacramento.
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