B/R Exclusive: Sacramento Kings Star De’Aaron Fox Explains Switch to Klutch | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

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SACRAMENTO — When a high-profile participant instantly hires one of many prime brokers within the NBA, it is often for considered one of two causes: He’s searching for a brand new, profitable contract, or he is getting ready to power a commerce.

Speculation in fact went into overdrive when Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox lately revealed that he modified illustration to rent well-known agent Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports.

The 24-year-old is within the second yr of his five-year, $163 million extension, so a brand new contract was off the desk. But would Paul strive to use a commerce?

In an unique Bleacher Report interview with the speedster who’s within the midst of an All-Star caliber season, Fox defined why he’s altering brokers at this level in his profession.

“When you are an athlete who has some notoriety and makes a giant distinction, it is going to flow into and individuals are going to speculate. But for me, I like being in Sacramento,” Fox informed B/R. “This move was not about wanting to be traded or wanting to move on. It’s more about myself and the business of basketball, and I feel like they’re able to help me in ways that I haven’t been able to before. It was really a level up.

“That’s no disrespect to anybody else,” added Fox, who was previously represented by Chris Gaston and Family First Sports Firm, “but (Klutch) is one of the best in the game, whether it’s basketball or outdoors. of business on the court. I understand the importance of infrastructure and I feel like they do such a great job in every aspect of not just business but life. I just felt like it was an improvement in every way.”

That answer should ease the concerns of Kings fans, but Fox’s change in representation can’t be completely ignored. Klutch Sports is known for executing clients’ trade requests, with some notable recent examples including Anthony Davis (to the Los Angeles Lakers) and Ben Simmons (to the Brooklyn Nets).

However, Fox is adamant that he is not considering going that route. He says he’s focused solely on a Kings franchise that’s enjoying an exciting start to the season. In Mike Brown’s first year as head coach, the team is 10-8 and currently sits in sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

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“I love being here in Sacramento,” Fox told B/R. “The interactions with the fans, it’s like being in Kentucky. No matter how good the other sports are, it’s always going to be about basketball whenever you’re in that city. If you’re able to win here, I feel like it’s just a different feeling. And obviously being able to stick with the team that drafted you is somewhere you feel comfortable in terms of life.

“Being in this city, in one place for a long time plays a big part in it. If I’m able to help this team get to the playoffs and hopefully win a championship at some point in my career , I feel like nothing would. To be able to say you won a championship for the Sacramento Kings, that’s unheard of, right? People would say you’re crazy.

“And if I was able to do that at any moment, that would be the best thing ever in my career.”

In his sixth season, Fox is poised to make his first All-Star team if he and the team continue on this trajectory. He is averaging 25.1 points while shooting 53.0 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three.

Many are calling this season a breakout year for Fox, but it pushes that narrative. He says winning is the only thing that has really changed.

“I feel like I’ve been better defensively and I feel like I’ve shot the ball better, but as far as everything else, I’ve always been able to get a bucket,” Fox informed B/R. “I’ve always been able to get my teammates involved. When needed, I’ve always been able to make big plays on defense, whether it’s a block or a steal.

“But I think defensively, I’ve been more consistent. I’ve always been one of the best scorers in the league, no matter the position. But I think the main difference is when you win, I think you’re looked at differently,” Fox said. “So, this is a testament to what [team governor] Vivek [Ranadivé] and what [general manager] Monte [McNair] they put me around. I feel like I’ve played well my last three or four seasons. I think winning, that’s pretty much what has changed.”

At 6’3, Fox is one of the most athletic guards at his position, and his overall skills routinely put him in top packages. But this has not increased his popularity much.

The Kings have not made the playoffs since 2005-06, which is the NBA’s longest postseason drought. Playing in a small market that rarely gets national television doesn’t help Fox gain national recognition.

“That’s a big reason why I changed representation,” Fox told B/R. “Even if you’re in a smaller market, I feel like they have opportunities to help you expand. And then also, being able to win ball games and be on TV as much as possible. If you’re winning, you’ll be on TV.

“… Whenever you say Klutch, people start speculating and start talking about you. There is always a controversial attempt to put me in rooms where my money can’t put me. Which again, is added value and more of a reason to make the switch. They just see things differently than most.”

Fox plans to share more of his life with fans. He announced via B/R that he and his wife, Recee, are expecting their first child together in February. It will be a boy.

Fox is usually private, the rare breed of a young body at home. This has always been his preference since he entered the league. He plays basketball, spends time with his family and plays video games. This next phase is about getting out of his comfort zone.

He admits he’s not much into social media, but now understands the importance of using these platforms to better engage with his fans and help raise his profile.

“I feel like I understand what social media does in this generation,” Fox told B/R. “Twitter and Instagram and TikTok are the biggest platforms at this point that you can have for any type of advertising. So for me, it’s about reaching out to fans and letting them see parts of your life that you want them to see. It allows you to connect with people, and I think that’s a big part of life and branding.”

But to succeed off the field, a player must excel on the field. So far, with multiple quality wins, Fox and the Kings are taking care of that part.

Fox knows he has to keep going.

“The manner we began this season, we really feel like we might play with anyone,” Fox informed B/R. “For me, it’s going out there and competing every night. One thing I have told everyone this year is to be consistent. You’re going to go through the highs and lows of a season, you’re going to go through the highs and lows of a game, and if you can continue to stay consistent, we’ll be able to be in the playoffs.

“[Head coach] Mike [Brown] always talks about how there are teams that go to the playoffs every year and lose in the first round. You don’t want to be one of those teams. We have to be consistent, man.”