NBA Pacific

The Los Angeles Lakers finally got their center with less than 24 hours to go until Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported they're sending rookie guard Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams.

https://twitter.com/MarkWi1liams/status/1887370639905816704

General manager Rob Pelinka told reporters Los Angeles remained in the market for a big and he was true to his word.

Here's how the Lakers look with Williams starting at the 5:

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Lakers Depth Chart

• PG: Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Shake Milton, Gabe Vincent
• SG: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Shake Milton 
• SF: LeBron James, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt 
• PF: Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt 
• C: Mark Williams, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, Trey Jamison III

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ESPN's Bobby Marks laid out the landscape for L.A. in terms of its salary cap situation and what draft picks it still has moving forward:

pic.twitter.com/pATDWRGn5U

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

After somehow managing to keep the Lakers' 2031 first-rounder out of the trade for Luka Dončić, many wondered whether Pelinka would utilize it this week or wait until the offseason.

Giving up both that pick and Knecht is a pretty aggressive play because those are two assets that could've been leveraged for another major star in the summer.

But Williams is averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 25.0 minutes per game this season. He's also young, having turned just 23 in December, and offers some cost control. The 7-footer has another season left on his rookie contract and is eligible to become a restricted free agent in 2026.

Although Williams may not qualify as a blockbuster addition, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Los Angeles sees him "as an answer at starting center right now and someone who can progress on the same timeline as the 25-year-old Dončić."

McMenamin noted another benefit of the trade is that the Lakers have a roster spot available. They can wait and see who hits the buyout market to add another reinforcement for the stretch run.

Acquiring Williams comes with some risk. He logged just 62 appearances through his first two years and has missed 25 games in 2024-25. Perhaps this proves to be an overpay for the Lakers if Williams can't stay healthy and Knecht emerges as a valuable role player for Charlotte.

The upside is nevertheless clear because L.A. might have found its starting center for the long haul.

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly acquired center Mark Williams for a package including their top rookie and their last tradable first-round pick.

The Lakers sent Dalton Knecht, veteran forward Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap and an unprotected 2031 first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets in order to acquire Williams, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Just In: The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/QGUwETssGd

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

Williams reacted to the news in a post on X:

https://twitter.com/MarkWi1liams/status/1887370639905816704

Williams, who was limited to 62 games through his first two NBA seasons due to injury, has made just 23 appearances so far this season.

Although Williams has missed three of the Hornets' last seven games due to left foot injury management, ESPN's Dave McMenamin the Lakers are "confident in his medicals."

https://twitter.com/mcten/status/1887375469378437572

Williams, who turned 23 in December, has been effective when healthy. After sitting out the first 20 games of the season, he returned to contribute a career-high 15.6 points on 58.6 percent shooting from the field while adding 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 25 minutes per night.

Williams has a $6.2 million club option remaining on his contract and is scheduled to hit restricted free agency in 2026.

The Lakers are likely hoping Williams' rebounding will help the team replace Anthony Davis, who was traded earlier this week in the blockbuster deal for former Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić.

Adding the seven-foot center could give the Lakers a stronger frontcourt heading into the playoffs, providing Williams is able to stay healthy down the stretch.

In order to acquire a center to deploy alongside Dončić, the Lakers parted ways with a 2024 first-round selection in Knecht, who was averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while playing more than 20 minutes per night through 48 games of his rookie season.

Knecht has three more seasons remaining on his rookie deal, including two club options that could take his contract through 2028.

The Lakers also bid farewell to Reddish, who was in his second season with the team. The 25-year-old was averaging 3.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 18 minutes per game as a depth option.

Reddish is playing on an expiring contract and is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The deal left the Lakers $3.8 million below the second apron of the luxury tax, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The trade opens up a roster spot for the Lakers.

They are $3.8M below the second apron.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

The Lakers also gave up their 2031 first-round pick as part of the trade. The selection was the franchise's final tradable first-round pick, as noted by Marks.

The Hornets meanwhile own their next first seven first-round picks in addition to four additional first-round selections acquired through trades, according to Marks.

Here are the outstanding firsts for the Lakers:

Outgoing first round picks:

*⃣Unprotected first to Atlanta (2025)
*⃣Top-4 protected first to Utah (2027)
*⃣Unprotected first to Dallas (2029)
*⃣Charlotte has the right to swap (2030)
*⃣Unprotected first to Charlotte (2031)

They…

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

The Hornets have nicely built their first-round picks in future years

*⃣Own first in the next 7 years
*⃣Top-14 protected first from Miami (2027, unprotected in 2028)
*⃣Top-2 protected first from Dallas (2027)
*⃣Right to swap firsts with LA Lakers (2030)
*⃣Unprotected first from…

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

The Lakers have one tradable second-round pick and one roster spot remaining, Charania noted, after sending out Davis and Max Christie earlier this week and parting ways with Knecht and Reddish just before the deadline.

Williams could potentially join the Lakers for a Thursday night game against the Golden State Warriors, while Knecht and Reddish could join the Hornets before Friday's contest with the San Antonio Spurs.

Joining a new team means a number change for Jimmy Butler.

Butler, who was traded from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, will wear No. 10 for his new squad, per NBA insider Chris Haynes. Butler's former No. 22 would presumably be available since Andrew Wiggins was traded to the Heat as part of the deal, but perhaps he felt it was time for a change.

Butler wore No. 21 with the Chicago Bulls, No. 23 with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers and was No. 22 for six years in Miami. It will take fans some time to get used to seeing the six-time All-Star rocking both a Warriors jersey and his new number.

Butler hasn't had the best year, albeit he's played just 25 games. His scoring average is his lowest since the 2013-14 season at just 17 points per game and he's adding 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

He was clearly not happy in Miami, though, and joining a new squad could be exactly what Butler needs to get back on track.

The Warriors seem to have confidence Butler can return to All-Star form, as they gave up a hefty haul for him. Golden State gave up Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schröder, Kyle Anderson, Lindsey Waters III and a protected first-round pick in the deal. Wiggins and Anderson are heading to Miami, Schröder will join the Utah Jazz and Waters is now with the Detroit Pistons.

Trading for an aging star like Butler might be a bit of a risk for the Warriors, but they needed to make a splash at the deadline to reroute their season. Golden State is currently in 10th place in the Western Conference at 25-24 but will soon look to surge behind a revamped roster.

Jimmy Butler has spent most of his career in the East, but now the star is heading West.

The Miami Heat traded Butler to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, a month after the disgruntled star first requested a trade. Butler reacted to the move accordingly on social media.

"Welcome to the wild wild west," he said on X.

welcome to the wild wild west 🎶 pic.twitter.com/dTh3njwWeX

— Jimmy Butler (@JimmyButler) February 6, 2025

Jimmy is ready for the West 🤠 pic.twitter.com/Pqd9JfXs1r

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 6, 2025

Butler, who started his career with the Chicago Bulls, had a short stint in the Western Conference, joining the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the 2017-18 season but departing midway through the 2018-19 season in a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Since then, he's remained in the Eastern Conference.

Butler appears to be embracing the trade to the Warriors, which comes as a bit of a surprise considering most reports indicated his desired trade destination was the Phoenix Suns. ESPN's Brian Windhorst even reported on Sunday that Butler "communicated to the Warriors that he's unwilling to sign an extension."

His thought process clearly changed in a matter of days, as he ended up signing a two-year, $121 million extension with the Warriors after the trade, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Butler hasn't had his best season thus far, putting up 17 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. His scoring average is his lowest since the 2013-14 season. There's still plenty of season left, though, and Butler could end up returning to his All-Star form soon after joining his new squad.

The Warriors will need the best version of Butler to stay in the playoff race. Golden State is currently in 10th place in the Western Conference at 25-24.

The Jimmy Butler saga is finally, and mercifully, over.

The Miami Heat have traded him to the Golden State Warriors as part of a five-team deal, with the Warriors giving up Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schröder, Lindy Waters III, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

FULL FIVE-TEAM TRADE 🤯

Warriors
• Jimmy Butler

Heat
• Andrew Wiggins
• PJ Tucker
• protected first-round pick

Pistons
• Lindy Waters
• Josh Richardson

Jazz
• Dennis Schroder

Raptors
• Kyle Anderson

per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/97zvwRaDQt

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 6, 2025

The Warriors sent a 2025 top-10 protected first rounder to the Heat as part of the Jimmy Butler trade, per sources. If it doesn’t convey this season (it likely will), it turns into a top-10 protected first rounder next season.

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 6, 2025

Butler also landed a lucrative contract extension as part of the arrangement, per Shams:

New Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler has agreed to a new two-year, $121 million extension with the franchise through 2026-27, sources tell me and @WindhorstESPN. Butler is declining his 2025-26 player option for this new $121M deal.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

And so ends what had become an epic, and tiresome, showdown between the Heat and Butler that included fines, indefinite suspensions and enough trade rumors to last a lifetime.

But now Butler will be joining Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as the Dubs look to resurrect their title hopes, with social media offering a wide array of responses to the blockbuster deal:

JIMMY BUTLER'S TIME IN MIAMI COMES TO AN END 😳

Shams knew he wanted out all along 😅 pic.twitter.com/aR1jhgMzQh

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 6, 2025

Well, the Warriors got Jimmy. Him as a screener, cutter, post player will be interesting. Wonder how the usage goes but I get the swing. Miami has some added depth, I think those guys fit what Miami likes to do. https://t.co/gMAsWAuixJ

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) February 6, 2025

Warriors before the Jimmy Butler trade vs Warriors after the Jimmy Butler trade pic.twitter.com/RqVmosi8Md

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) February 6, 2025

Jimmy to the warriors I like this

— Ty Hill (@cheetah) February 6, 2025

I don't have an NFL comp for the Jimmy Butler trade, and I really don't have an in-depth idea of what Golden State's roster looks like, but I know this:

Trying to close out Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler late in close playoff games is not going to be easy for anyone.

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) February 6, 2025

Jimmy Butler told his boss he didn't want to work there anymore so they gave him six weeks paid vacation and then sent him to a new company that gave him $121 million. Jimmy Butler is the American Dream.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) February 6, 2025

It is fairly amazing that Jimmy pulled all of this off.

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 6, 2025

And Jimmy wins …

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 6, 2025

Warriors still probably one or two moves away from any serious playoff discussion. I just dont like the roster’s fit right now, especially when Kuminga returns.

Maybe not yet done?

— Kevin Cruz (@Chef_Cruz2K) February 6, 2025

Warriors finally got a number 2

— Sramirez (@SEBASTI98352775) February 6, 2025

Jimmy butler to the warriors kinda tough

— 410🤝🏾 (@410__mya) February 6, 2025

The Butler trade is the right move for the Warriors. At least gives them a chance the next 2 years. But sad to see Wiggins go. He was having a good season and will always be a Warriors favorite after the 22 championship.

— Tim Bartholomew (@tim_bartholomew) February 6, 2025

The Warriors are a fascinating team.

On the one hand, they desperately needed a true No. 2 option on offense behind Curry, and Butler is more than capable of scratching that itch. He'll provide solid secondary playmaking and defense, and his experience in the playoffs—and his shot-making in the clutch—will make the Warriors dangerous in late-game scenarios, given Curry's proficiency in those moments as well.

But there are some potential fit issues. Green has traditionally been the secondary playmaker for this offense, a role that should shift more to Butler. There are also some floor-spacing concerns, given that Butler isn't a natural catch-and-shoot player, and Green's issues from the perimeter are well known. And both Butler and Green are fiery personalities, so there are some vibe questions to be answered as well.

But the Warriors needed to take a gamble with Curry's prime years dwindling, and Butler is an improvement over the players they gave up. Whether it's enough to catapult the team into contender status remains to be seen.

Just over a month after he first requested a trade, Jimmy Butler is finally on the move.

The Miami Heat traded their disgruntled star to the Golden State Warriors, per ESPN's Shams Charania. In a five-team deal, the Heat landed Andrew Wiggins and P.J. Tucker, per NBA insider Chris Haynes. Golden State sent Dennis Schröder to the Utah Jazz, per Charania. Charania also noted that Miami landed Kyle Anderson in the deal.

The Warriors have had a rough start to the season, but are hoping the move for Butler will pay off. Meanwhile, the Heat are likely just happy to get a solid return for Butler.

Following the trade, here's a look at Golden State and Miami's updated rosters.

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Golden State Warriors Depth Chart

• PG: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Pat Spencer
• SG: Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, Lindy Waters III
• SF: Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, Moses Moody, Gui Santos
• PF: Draymond Green, Moses Moody
• C: Quinten Post, Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis

Miami Heat Depth Chart

• PG: Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Alec Burks, Josh Christopher 
• SG: Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson
• SF: Andrew Wiggins, Haywood Highsmith 
• PF: Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, P.J. Tucker, Kyle Anderson
• C: Kel'el Ware, Kevin Love 

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The Warriors took a cap hit of $48.798 million and they are now $58.627 million over the cap, per Spotrac. The Heat will add Wiggins' $26.276 million salary and Tucker's $11.539 million salary, putting them at $38.121 million over the cap, per Spotrac.

Post trade pic.twitter.com/GSff8vniXt

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

Impact in Golden State

Players under contract: 11

Below the first apron: $1.8M*

*If Butler waives his $418K trade bonus

The Warriors can fill out their roster and remain below the first apron.

However, the timing of each signing is critical.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

Roster/Cap info: Miami

Andrew Wiggins: $26.3M, $28.2M, $30.2M, Player 2026-27

PJ Tucker: $11.5M, UFA 2025

Kyle Anderson: $8.8M, $9.2M, $9.7M ($0 GTY)

Above the luxury tax: $7.8M

Above 1st apron: $3.1M

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025

While the Warriors had to give up a hefty haul, they still managed to stay below the first apron, giving them a bit more financial flexibility. The Heat are above the first apron but still sit $8.254 million below the second apron, per Spotrac.

The trade for Butler has been a month in the making, though the Warriors weren't always the favorite. In fact, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Sunday that Butler "communicated to the Warriors that he's unwilling to sign an extension."

It's unclear at this point if Butler's stance changed and he's now willing to sign an extension with Golden State or if the Warriors just decided to trade for him anyway knowing he might leave at the end of the season.

Either way, Golden State will hope to get the most out of the six-time All-Star this season as it looks to make a playoff push. The Warriors are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference at 25-24, desperate for a spark to change the course of their season.

Butler hasn't been quite as productive as normal, putting up 17 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists, though he's played just 25 games. He was also clearly unhappy in Miami, so perhaps a change of scenery will help him return to All-Star form.

The Heat likely would have preferred to keep Butler, but given they had little option but to trade him, they came out of the deal in a decent position. Wiggins has put up similar numbers to Butler, but Miami is getting him at a significantly cheaper rate. The trade also gives the Heat more financial flexibility as they prepare to potentially add a big free agent this offseason.

Before Miami focuses on the offseason, it will look to stay in the playoff race without Butler. The Heat are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference at 24-24.

There have been rumors that one of the motivations for the Dallas Mavericks shockingly trading superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers was the team's frustrations over his conditioning habits and weight, which gave them reservations about signing him to the five-year, $345 million supermax contract he would have been eligible for over the summer.

Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith had his own take on the matter.

"S--t, if I'm putting up them type of numbers, maybe I need to be 270 [pounds]," he told reporters on Wednesday.

That has mirrored the general astonishment over the Mavericks cutting ties with Dončić.

"I don't care what he does," an All-Star told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon regarding Dončić's weight and conditioning habits. "He still goes out and gives you 33-9-9 every night."

Markieff Morris echoed those sentiments.

"He's a great guy. Super low maintenance. One of the only guys I've been on a team with that'll play though any injury if he can get on the court," he told reporters. "I hear stuff about him not being in shape, but if you can go in an NBA game and get 30, 15 and 10 like it's nothing, then I don't know what shape is."

Luka's dad, Sasa, did not hold back on the Mavs front office for trading his son to LA 👀

"One individual said he's not fit enough. He played 100 games. ... You traded him, stand by your actions, but don't look for excuses."

(via @ArenaSport_SI) pic.twitter.com/A5JQ8kxQLs

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 4, 2025

Regardless of Dončić's habits, he's averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game this season, and that's something a down year for him (he's played in only 22 games due to injury). Last year, he led the NBA in scoring with 33.9 points per game and added 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per contest.

And those aren't hollow numbers—in the team's run to the NBA Finals last season, he posted 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot.

LUKA 3-POINTER IN THE CLUTCH TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH 3 SECONDS LEFT IN THE 4Q 🤯🎯

DAL-MIN (1-0) | 4Q Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/6hNV77J8aV

— NBA (@NBA) May 25, 2024

More importantly, Dončić is just 25 years old and has been a first-team All-NBA selection in five straight seasons. He's just entering his prime years and he's already a top-five player in the sport. Those types of guys simply don't get traded unless they demand it.

Dallas' loss is the Lakers' gain. While the Lakers will want to see Dončić take care of his body and extend his prime as long as possible, they'll be more than happy with the elite production they get from him in the interim.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly giving up on their dreams of reuniting with Kevin Durant.

Per The Athletic's Anthony Slater and Sam Amick, the Warriors "have decided to move on from their pursuit of" the Phoenix Suns star. Durant was reportedly "cold to the idea" of reuniting with his former team.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Golden State is shifting its focus to Miami Heat disgruntled star Jimmy Butler. According to Stein, Dennis Schröder's expiring contract "is a central element" of a potential trade.

NBA Insider Kevin O'Connor noted that a potential trade for Butler has been picking up steam:

"Jimmy Butler to Golden State" is about as loud in NBA circles as "Kevin Durant to Golden State" was yesterday at this same time. We'll see if the Warriors and Heat can actually reach the finish line on this one though.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 6, 2025

Durant does not have a no-trade clause, meaning the Warriors could still trade for him, but NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Wednesday that Golden State does "not want to bring in a disgruntled superstar."

Durant, who spent three seasons in Golden State and won a pair of titles and Finals MVPs, is putting up 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this year. Whether he'll be traded to another team at the deadline remains to be seen, but he won't be suiting up for the Dubs again anytime soon.

While the Warriors aren't interested in bringing in a player who doesn't want to be there, they might be getting that in a potential deal for Butler. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Sunday that Butler "communicated to the Warriors that he's unwilling to sign an extension." Even with Butler's seeming uninterest in joining Golden State, the team thinks it is "firmly in the mix" for him, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater.

If the Dubs can't land Butler, they reportedly have a backup plan. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on SportsCenter Wednesday that failure to trade for Durant or Butler could see Golden State make a move for Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević.

Vučević might not be the All-Star-caliber player they hoped to land, but he could certainly help get them in playoff shape. Vučević, 34, is putting up 19.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this season, shooting an efficient 40.1 percent from deep.

The Warriors are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference at 25-24 and clearly need to make a move before Thursday's deadline to change the course of their season. After missing out on Durant, they'll hope to avoid going into the second half of the season empty-handed.

The Golden State Warriors have trade deadline dreams of landing a player like Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler, but they reportedly have a backup plan if they can't add a star.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on SportsCenter Wednesday that the Warriors could pivot to Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević if they can't land Butler or Durant before Thursday's deadline.

"They've called on players like Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, I'm told," Charania said. "That will continue between and now tomorrow's deadline. If they miss out on those guys, potentially what you could see is a player like Nikola Vučević at center."

Vučević might not be the same caliber of player as Butler or Durant, but he would still be a welcome addition as the Warriors look to make a playoff run. The 34-year-old is averaging 19.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He's also shooting a scorching-hot 40.1 percent from deep after struggling from range last season.

Golden State still has time to find a deal for either Durant or Butler, but the window for landing either of the two stars seems to be closing quickly.

Charania reported Wednesday on NBA Today that Durant "has no desire" to return to his former team in a trade this season.

As Golden State pursues Phoenix's Kevin Durant, the two-time Warriors NBA Finals MVP has no desire in a reunion and does not want to go back. Reporting for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/tNeTzw2gCf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2025

While he doesn't have a no-trade clause like his teammate Bradley Beal, the Warriors "do not want to bring in a disgruntled superstar," per NBA insider Chris Haynes. Unless something changes drastically before Thursday's deadline, it seems Golden State will have to move on from a possible reunion with Durant.

As for a potential trade for Butler, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported earlier this week that Butler told Golden State he's "unwilling to sign an extension," which seemingly put an end to trade conversations. Still, the Warriors believe they are still "firmly in the mix for Butler," according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.

The Warriors have just one day to finalize any trades, and with potential deals for Durant and Butler seemingly far away, pivoting to Vučević could be the wiser and more realistic option.

Whether Vučević or another piece, Golden State clearly needs to do something at the deadline to get back in the playoff mix. The Warriors are currently 25-24, sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference and threatening to miss the postseason for a second consecutive year.

Three days after trading De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal, Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair has opened up about the reasoning for moving the 27-year-old star.

McNair told reporters on Wednesday they had "no pathway to a long-term agreement" with Fox.

The full trade saw Fox and Jordan McLaughlin go to the Spurs, with Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko and six draft picks going to the Kings, plus the Chicago Bulls receiving Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter and their own 2025 first-round pick back from the Kings.

There had been indications for weeks prior to the trade that Fox's time in Sacramento might be coming to an end sooner than later.

The Athletic's Sam Amick and Anthony Slater reported on Dec. 21 that his agent, Rich Paul, sat down with Kings management to talk about the long-term direction of the organization before his client would commit to them on a contract extension.

Fox previously said in October that he turned down a three-year, $165 million extension from the Kings because he didn't want to be locked in with a team that may not be consistently competing for a playoff spot.

Amick and Slater noted Fox specifically had his eye on the Spurs to pair with Victor Wembanyama.

It probably didn't help the Kings' negotiating position going forward that there were rumblings about Fox's relationship with head coach Mike Brown when the club made the decision to fire him on Dec. 27.

Fox went so far as to publicly deny there was any truth to the rumblings he didn't get along with Brown.

"I feel like there's this perception that people thought that we were at odds," Fox told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "You can ask anybody in this organization: me and Mike have never even had an argument. We could disagree with something. We talked about it and it was gone."

The Kings did get a quality player in the deal by roping the Bulls into it for LaVine. He's not as highly regarded as Fox, but their production this season isn't too dissimilar.

Sacramento has been playing better under interim head coach Doug Christie. He has led the team to a 12-6 record in the last 18 games. The Kings have climbed to eighth in the Western Conference with a 25-24 overall record.