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The Sixers are definitely interested in De’Aaron Fox, or at least interested in projecting that to the rest of the league. He’ll be in for a workout in Philadelphia this weekend, just a couple days after his Kentucky pal Malik Monk shows Sixers brass what he’s got.
But if we’re going off of public speculation and reports, no team with a lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft wants Fox more than the Sacramento Kings. The problem is no one can agree on just how bad they want him, or how much they’re willing to give up.
Here’s Keith Pompey of Philly.com this morning:
We’ve heard this countless times before, but league sources keep saying the Sacramento Kings are seriously considering packaging picks No. 5 and 10 in a trade for the 76ers' No. 3 in the June 22 draft.
One league source said Tuesday that former Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox and former Kansas small forward Josh Jackson were mentioned as targets for the Kings. There's a chance that both of them could be selected in the top four picks. That’s why the source said the team is still considering packaging the picks.
Here’s Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical this afternoon:
Sac’s not going to trade 5 and 10 to move up to 3. That doesn’t make any sense. They are not doing that. But could they move 5 and something else, maybe a player, maybe a second round pick. So that is more realistic if you wanted to move up.
Here’s Jordan Schultz of Huffington Post this evening:
Sources: #Kings trying 2 trade into the 4 slot. They want Fox badly and think #Suns will take him if it goes Fultz-Jackson-Ball n some order
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 15, 2017
Unclear if #Kings have submitted an official offer to #Suns for the 4th pick. They want to move up and also exploring moving into 3 w/Philly
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 15, 2017
Sources: As it stands, a #Kings-#76ers deal is more likely than Kings-#Suns, simply because Vlade wants to make sure he gets Fox.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 15, 2017
Here’s Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee tonight:
Again, my Kings sources tell me they have no interest in trading Nos. 5 and 10 picks to Philly for No. 3. Feel too steep a price. https://t.co/kEOinEKyMy
— Ailene Voisin (@ailene_voisin) June 14, 2017
You get the picture. As a quick assessment, people with ties to the team and broader reach nationally are saying there’s no chance of this happening, and people whose primary sources are elsewhere are trying to keep these rumors alive. Make of that what you will.
If I were a betting man, I wouldn’t pick the non-Woj side. Then again, it’s hard to account for the dynamic duo that is Vivek Ranadive and Vlade Divac, and if they have it in their heads that they absolutely can’t risk missing out on one of their top targets, I suppose you never know.
The price tag certainly matters on the Sixers’ end, too. Trading out of a top-three spot in a loaded draft isn’t as painful if you’re getting another top-10 pick back (although I think this draft drops off quicker than most people think). If you’re not able to get anything other beyond a second or a Ben McLemore type player, there’s not really any justification for trading your beachfront property at No. 3 for a mountain house and a studio apartment to be rented later.
At this point, whatever man. I’m very excited for the Sixers to take Josh Jackson like we said they should have from the beginning and laughing about all this nonsense later.