There is a perception within the Sacramento Kings organization that De’Aaron Fox’s ability to take criticism from the coaching staff has been vital to the team’s success this season. Kings head coach Mike Brown stated in December 2022 that Fox allowed him to set the foundation for the team’s style of play.
“In the beginning of the year, when we were really trying to lay a foundation on both sides of the floor, especially defensively, I was probably on him more than anybody else,” Brown told reporters before the Kings hosted the Charlottes Hornets on Monday. “Not just privately, in front of the team. I was on him. I was on him during timeouts. I took him out of a game after he made a couple of mistakes a couple of times.”
Brown is in awe of how well Fox has received his coaching, and how he actually listens and continues to grow. He added that it’s not common for star athletes to always be willing to listen, especially after reaching Fox’s level of stardom.
The Sacramento Kings offense
Although Fox should be given credit for establishing the culture of the current Kings team, he isn’t the right point guard for them. Kings head coach Mike Brown has installed a ball movement offensive system with Domantas Sabonis as the primary playmaker.
For example, Keeagan Murray stood on the left wing early in the first quarter of a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 23rd. Murray passed the ball to Sabonis, who stood at the top of the key. Sabonis took a couple of steps toward the right wing before throwing a bounce pass to Kevin Hurter.
Hurter had cut from the right corner to the basket, as no defender was near the basket. Unfortunately, when Hurter received the ball after finishing his cut, he was surrounded by 2 Grizzlies players. Consequently, he was forced to pass the ball to Harrison Barnes in the left corner.
These offensive possessions have led Sabonis to average 64.6 passes per game in 45 appearances, 4th in the league. Sabonis accounts for 21.5% of the team’s passes as the Kings rank 5th in the league averaging 300 per game in 47 outings.
De’Aaron Fox’s role in the Sacramento Kings offense
The ball movement system has forced Fox to spend more time off the ball this season. For example, Fox stood behind the arc on left-wing early in the first quarter in the same game against the Grizzlies. He remained there as Barnes and Sabonis initiated a dribble handoff.
The possessions ended with a Barnes three-pointer from the handoff. Fox’s current role has led him to take 27.2% of his shots from behind the arc averaging 4.8 per game, a career-high. Unfortunately, three-point shooting is the weakest aspect of Fox’s skill set. Before this season, Fox shot 32% from behind the arc averaging 3.5 attempts per game.
Fox has slightly improved his percentage this season, shooting 33.2% on 4.8 attempts per game. Consequently, Sacramento should explore the market for a point guard with a better three-point shooting track record.
Fred VanVleet is a better fit
According to Marc Stein, Fred VanVleet could become available as a trade target before the deadline on February 9th. VanVleet has shot 37.6% from behind the arc on 6.2 attempts per game during his career. VanVleet’s shooting track record makes him a better fit for Mike Brown’s system.
The Kings should offer Fox to the Toronto Raptors, as he is considered to be the better overall player. In conclusion, Fox’s skill set and current role indicate that he is not the right point guard for Brown.
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