++Preface++:
This is my best attempt at making a De’Aaron Fox trade happen. Lmk if I’m off base.
With the help of Rich Paul, Fox has made it clear to the Kings FO that he wants to play in a contending situation. I think the Kings need to do everything they can to retain him, but if he wants out, this should be decent enough value for him. The Magic should be the most aggressive buyer in his market knowing he can take this team to newer heights.
++Details++:
SAC trades De’Aaron Fox to the Magic.
The Magic send out Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, Gary Harris, a 2026 unprotected first, a 2028 unprotected first, a 2028 second, a 2030 unprotected first, and a first round pick swap to be negotiated later on (not represented) to the Trailblazers.
The Trailblazers send Anfernee Simons and Robert Willams to the Kings. The Kings also receive a 2025 unprotected first and 2025 second from the Magic.
++Magic Reasoning++:
The Magic grab an all-star point guard to pair with their all-star frontcourt. Based on recent trades (Donovan Mitchell, Mikal Bridges, etc.), guys like Fox around going for around 5 unprotected firsts and change. I narrowed his value down to 4 unprotected firsts, two seconds, and a first round pick swap to be negotiated later on (not represented).
Cole Anthony is the primary salary to be moved out of Orlando. In this scenario, the Magic avoid losing Issac or Suggs - who were on the chopping block. This hopefully keeps Orlando’s defensive identity and potential intact. Ultimately, Anthony Black had to be young player moved in efforts to entice the Blazers and make the money work.
++Kings Reasoning++:
The Kings could have just settled for all of the picks, but it’s hard to justify the talent loss when you have Derozan, Sabonis and Murray looking to win games. I took a page out of the Raptors book and targeted talent to get butts in seats and try to pivot rather than crash. Ultimately, Simons and Timelord were the best options to salvage the Kings’ playoff hopes. Simons should provide high-level shot creation and pull up shooting. Williams becomes a stout back up big off the bench. The Kings would also get a 2025 first and second to facilitate a quicker turnaround.
++Blazers Reasoning++:
The third team in this deal fundamentally needed to be okay with losing. There are only a few teams willing to do that and even less with well-paid talent to export at the same time. The Blazers acquire a package centered around Anthony Black, 3 unprotected firsts, and a first round pick swap to boost their reserves. They find homes for some of their larger contracts and part ways with Anfernee Simons who can finally contribute to winning.
To me, Simons and Timelord, in a vacuum, are worth 3 firsts. They receive those firsts along with a pick swap and a second as a professional courtesy for making the deal work. And the Kings retain the remaining picks from what I determined was Fox’s intrinsic value.
++Epilogue++:
The Jazz were another interesting option as a third team in this deal. Sending Sexton and Collins to Sacramento instead. Ultimately, I couldn’t tell whether the Jazz wanted to tank further and whether they had the talent to satisfy the Kings.
++Starting Lineups++:
ORL - De’Aaron Fox, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr.
SAC - Anfernee Simons, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Domantis Sabonis
POR - Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avidja, Jerami Grant, and DeAndre Ayton