Blockbuster Three-Team Trade: Spurs Steal Fox, But Are the Kings the Real Winners?

With the trade deadline fast approaching, the NBA has witnessed yet another seismic roster shake-up. According to Shams Charania, the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and Chicago Bulls have agreed to a three-team trade that could reshape the balance of power in the Western Conference. The details of the deal are as follows:

• Spurs receive: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
• Kings receive: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks (2025 Hornets, 2027 Spurs, 2031 Timberwolves), three second-round picks (2025 Bulls, 2028 Nuggets, 2028 Kings)
• Bulls receive: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and the return of their 2025 first-round pick from San Antonio

At first glance, this deal may not have the fireworks of the Luka Dončić or Anthony Davis trades, but upon closer inspection, it has the potential to be a rare win-win-win scenario.

The Spurs: Finally, Help for Wembanyama

For months, the biggest concern in San Antonio has been the lack of a true point guard to complement Victor Wembanyama. The French phenom has been growing at an accelerated rate, but the Spurs’ rebuilding pace hasn’t kept up with his rapid development. Enter De’Aaron Fox, a 27-year-old former All-Star who immediately fills the biggest void in San Antonio’s roster.

To acquire Fox, the Spurs sent out four first-round picks. However, in reality, they may only be parting with two or three meaningful ones:

• The 2025 Hornets first-rounder is lottery-protected. Given Charlotte’s current state, it’s highly likely they’ll keep the pick, pushing the compensation down to second-rounders in 2026 and 2027.
• The 2025 Bulls first-rounder is top-10 protected. If it doesn’t convey, it will shift to 2026 (top-8 protected) and then to 2027 (still top-8 protected). If it continues rolling over, it will eventually become a 2028 second-rounder.
• The 2027 Spurs first-rounder and the 2031 Timberwolves first-rounder are more straightforward assets, but with Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards leading their respective franchises, those picks may not be very high in the draft order.

This means San Antonio essentially traded two to three late first-round picks, a few second-rounders, and role players in Zach Collins and Tre Jones for a high-level lead guard. That’s an absolute steal.

Spurs insider reports already praise GM Brian Wright for orchestrating such a coup. One local writer put it bluntly:

“San Antonio managed to keep Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Stephon Castle, and Keldon Johnson while landing a franchise-caliber point guard? The league owes Brian Wright an apology.”

Now, with Fox running the show alongside Wembanyama, Vassell, Sochan, and a young core bursting with potential, the Spurs might not just be thinking about rebuilding—they could be eyeing a playoff push sooner than expected.

The Kings: A High-Risk, High-Reward Gamble

On the surface, Sacramento shipping out their franchise point guard may seem puzzling, but context is key. The Kings have been on the hunt for a dynamic scoring wing, and Zach LaVine—when healthy—fits the bill.

Before his trade to Sacramento, LaVine was averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 51.1% FG / 44.6% 3PT / 79.7% FT shooting splits. That’s elite efficiency, and when you pair that with his off-ball ability, he could be a better fit next to Domantas Sabonis than Fox ever was.

Unlike Fox, who thrives as an on-ball creator, LaVine is comfortable playing off the ball. This allows Sacramento to fully lean into Sabonis as the offensive hub while surrounding him with shooters and slashers. The Kings still have Malik Monk, Keegan Murray, and defensive standout Keon Ellis, so they aren’t sacrificing depth for star power.

Of course, LaVine’s contract is hefty—$43.03 million in 2024-25, $45.99 million in 2025-26, and $48.97 million in 2026-27—but if he maintains his current production, that deal might not be as bad as it seemed a year ago.

The real upside for the Kings lies in the draft assets they acquired. They walked away with three first-round picks and three second-rounders, replenishing their war chest while remaining competitive in the short term. If LaVine clicks with Sabonis, Sacramento might have just pulled off a brilliant long-term move.

The Bulls: Embracing the Tank

For Chicago, this trade marks the official start of a long-overdue rebuild.

A year ago, trading Zach LaVine would have required the Bulls to attach draft assets just to move his contract. Instead, thanks to his resurgence this season, they not only avoided dumping picks but actually retrieved their own 2025 first-rounder from the Spurs—a huge win for their future flexibility.

Chicago’s return of Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter might not seem flashy, but each player serves a purpose:

• Collins provides size and spacing, serving as either a short-term frontcourt partner for Nikola Vučević or a trade chip for another deal.
• Jones gives them a steady, playmaking point guard to guide the younger roster.
• Huerter is an elite shooter who can either be a long-term piece or flipped for another asset.

But the bigger takeaway is that Chicago now has clarity. The LaVine era is officially over, and more moves are likely on the way. Vučević, Coby White, and even the injured Lonzo Ball could be next on the trade block as the Bulls pivot toward full-scale rebuilding.

The only questionable decision? Their five-year, $90 million extension for Patrick Williams, who has regressed this season. If he doesn’t improve, the Bulls might have another problem on their hands.

Who Won the Trade?

If we had to declare a winner today, it’s the Spurs. They landed a franchise point guard without mortgaging their future, giving Wembanyama a legitimate running mate.

But Sacramento might end up with the best outcome long term. If LaVine continues his elite efficiency and develops chemistry with Sabonis, they could emerge as dark-horse contenders. The extra picks they acquired only sweeten the deal.

As for Chicago, they didn’t hit a home run, but they made the necessary first step toward a rebuild. Their success hinges on what they do next—particularly if they can find a way to move Vučević and Ball’s contracts.

One thing is certain: this trade is just the beginning. With names like Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, and Nikola Vučević potentially on the move soon, the NBA trade season is only getting started.