Less than 24 hours after the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers broke the internet with their swap of Anthony Davis and Luka Dončić, more star players are on the move.
It has been rumored that De’Aaron Fox preferred San Antonio as a free agent destination in 2026. Sacramento found themselves seeking a return while they could still get one. The Chicago Bulls have long sought separation from Zach LaVine as the franchise looks to move into the future.
How did each team fare with all of the moving pieces?
Grades for Spurs, Bulls, and Kings Blockbuster Deal
San Antonio Spurs
Send: Tre Jones, Zac Collins, Sidy Cissoko, 2027 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick via Chicago, 2025 lottery protected pick via Charlotte, 2031 first-round pick via Minnesota, 2028 second-round pick via Denver
Receive: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
The San Antonio Spurs have their point guard of the future to play next to budding super star Victor Wembanyama. This offseason, the Spurs brought in Chris Paul for his leadership and to give the Spurs another year to identify their point guard of the future. Fox is pairing up with Wembanyama to form one of the best tandems in the Western Conference moving forward.
The price for the Spurs was hefty in terms of draft picks but the return is well worth it.
GRADE: A
Sacramento Kings
Send: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin, Kevin Huerter
Receive: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks, three second-round picks
Reports of a potential divorce between the Kings and Fox began to surface after the midseason firing of Kings head coach Mike Brown. It became known that the point guard wanted to play in San Antonio after he hits the free agent market in 2026. Sacramento was put into a position to recoup assets for Fox before he potentially walked for nothing.
The Kings were able to relocate Huerter, who has been in the midst of his worst all-around season since his rookie year. Zach LaVine will have immediate chemistry with new teammate DeMar DeRozan as the two played together in Chicago. Sacramento’s grade can change based on how they finish the trade deadline, if they do not get a serviceable point guard, this trade is not great.
GRADE: C-
Chicago Bulls
Send: Zach LaVine, 2028 second-round pick via Sacramento
Receive: Tre Jones, Zac Collins, Kevin Huerter, own 2025 first-round pick
This was about getting off Zach LaVine’s contract for Chicago. Coby White has emerged as the lead guard of the future for the Bulls while Josh Giddey has found himself after leaving Oklahoma City.
Huerter and Jones are solid depth pieces but getting their own first-round pick this year is the prize. The Bulls are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, but if they decide to also offload Nikola Vucevic’s contract as well, their first-round pick could end up being the second-best piece of this trade.
GRADE: B
