Report: Kings plan to build around Fox, Haliburton

Contrary to rumblings regarding the potential availability of Sacramento Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox, the organization intends to keep him past the Feb. 10 trade deadline, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The Kings have reportedly informed Fox's representatives and opposing front offices of their desire to continue building the roster around the speedy guard and second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton, Charania reports.

It was reported earlier Wednesday that the Kings were open to discussing Fox in trade talks involving Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis, according to the Sacramento Bee's Jason Anderson.

Additionally, the Kings were said to be open to broaching the 24-year-old's availability in discussions involving Philadelphia 76ers point forward Ben Simmons after Fox wasn't even discussed during Simmons talks last summer.

After averaging career highs in points (25.2) and assists (7.2) during a breakout 2020-21 season, Fox's numbers have dropped to 20.9 points and 5.1 assists per game. His current 3-point clip of 25.3% would easily rank as the worst of his career.

The Kings selected Fox fifth overall out of Kentucky in 2017, though the playmaker hasn't been able to help end the organization's 16-year playoff drought. At 18-28, 11th-seeded Sacramento wouldn't even qualify for the play-in tournament if the regular season ended Wednesday.

Fox is in the first season of a five-year, $163-million pact that will see his salary rise to $37.1 million in 2025-26.

With the Pacers mired in a 15-29 start, the team is reportedly eyeing a significant shakeup of its own. Sabonis, currently injured blocks-per-game leader Myles Turner, and scoring wing Caris LeVert are apparently available.