The Sacramento Kings are, to this point, not living up to expectations, considering their record and where they sit in the West. They’ve shown they can score points but can’t stop others from scoring. It’s early still, having not yet hit the 30-game mark. Still, there is concern over where the Kings are heading this season. Another concern might be related to Kings All-Star De’Aaron Fox and his recent comments about his future with the Northern Californian franchise.
Kings All-Star Hopes Franchise Aligns With His Values
Kings All-Star De’Aaron Fox Would ‘Sign Extension Right Now’ in Sacramento
When a franchise player starts publicly speaking about his future as his contract is closer to being up than otherwise, ears perk, and attention heightens. Granted, Fox’s current contract in Sacramento still has another season on tap (2025-26). That didn’t stop him from speaking about it with Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green on his podcast, though, The Draymond Green Show.
While discussing the Kings and his future with them [51:25 mark], Fox didn’t shy away from expressing his love for the city and the Kings as an organization. But he also slightly drew a line in the sand, as it were. He talked about the Kingscommitment to their future being parallel with his.
“For me man, it has all to do with the team, the organization, where are we going. I want to make sure we are in a position to win in the future, because that’s ultimately what I want to do. I know I am going to make enough money regardless of where I play, what I do I’m going to be fine…I feel I’m going to get better every year, for me, it’s, are we continuing to get better year after year, and are we going to be able to compete at a high level? If we could show that this year, you’d sign the extension now. If not, obviously I still have another year, but that’s where my mindset is.”
You can’t blame Fox for feeling this way. He goes on to say that he will always give it his all. However, he wants the Kings to match him in that action. Unfortunately, the way things are looking right now, with a 13-14 record and sitting outside the playoff bracket, Fox and company are falling short.
Three All-Stars Combining for A Below .500 Record
Speaking of giving it his all, Fox is doing exactly that. His 26.2 PPG leads the Kings, and he’s already had a few explosive games this season. What’s almost unthinkable is that the Kings have three 20-plus points per game players, and they’re still an under .500 team. Domantas Sabonis (21.5) and DeMar DeRozan (22.5) each average over 20. Malik Monk isn’t far behind with his 16.1 PPG, either. On paper, the Kings are an offensive juggernaut and the seventh-highest-ranked team in points per game (116.7).
That number should result in a much better record, yet it doesn’t reflect Sacramento’s. It’s not scoring or offense that is holding the Kings back. They give up almost as many points per game as they score, 113.7, to be exact. That tells you the Kings play in a lot of close games. Unfortunately, they’ve come up on the losing side of those one or two basket games 14 times to date so far. Carrying on this way isn’t going to cut it, especially not in the West.
The post Kings All-Star Hopes Franchise Aligns With His Values appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.