by Fox explains reasons for passing on Kings contract extension originally on NBC Sports Bay Area
De’Aaron Fox would like to stay with the Kings long-term if the franchise can continue to build an NBA championship-caliber roster.
On Tuesday, the Sacramento superstar commented on his decision to delay signing a contract extension until the end of the 2024-2025 NBA season.
“For me, it’s all about the team, the organization, where we’re going,” Fox said on “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.” “I want to make sure we are able to win in the future because that is ultimately what I want to do. I know that I will make enough money no matter where I play or what I do. I’ll be fine unless, God forbid, knock on wood, I have a career-ending injury, but other than that I feel like I’m getting better every year as a player.”
Fox reportedly turned down a three-year contract extension worth a maximum of $165 million this year in favor of a more lucrative deal. In 2020, he signed a five-year, $163 million contract extension with the Kings.
Since being selected No. 5 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Fox has become a cornerstone of the franchise, helping to turn Sacramento into a Western Conference contender while completing a 16-year playoff run two seasons ago. overcome drought.
Still, the 26-year-old wants the Kings organization to continue its climb toward becoming a Western Conference contender.
“Do we look like we’re going to get better year after year and be able to compete at a high level?” Fox said to Green and Davis. “If we can show that this year, [I’d] Sign an extension now. If not, of course I still have another year, but that’s my attitude. Will we eventually be able to compete for a championship or compete at a high level for a really long time?”
Sacramento owner Vivek Ranadivé and general manager Monte McNair have invested heavily in the team and built a star squad with Fox, Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan at the core. Fox has great admiration for the only franchise he knows.
“I love the city, I love being here, I raised my family here,” Fox told Green and Davis. “We have the children’s grandparents here; I would like to be here and retire here. How many people can say they have played in one organization for their entire career? I want to be one of those chosen few, but at the end of the day I also want to win
“I’ll get to it [prime] years, so yes, they know I’m going to give it everything I’ve got, but at the end of the day the organization has to give it everything it’s got too. So that’s where we’re at right now.”
The team has had mixed results this season, with periods of offensive brilliance being canceled out by defensive errors. The perfect example was Monday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets, when Sacramento couldn’t contain reigning MVP Nikola Jokić.
Jokić’s supernatural play paved the way for Jamal Murray to score the go-ahead goal with 8.6 seconds left, clinching the game and bringing the Kings to 13-14 on the season.
Given the intense competition in the Western Conference, Sacramento is in danger of missing the playoffs. Whether the Kings can do enough to convince Fox to sign a contract extension remains to be seen.
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