Does De’Aaron Fox feel guilty about Kings firing Mike Brown following team’s recent slump?
De'Aaron Fox dishes on feelings after Sacramento Kings fire HC Mike Brown following slump in performances.
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De'Aaron Fox reveals feelings after the Kings fire HC Mike Brown
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox has found himself at the center of controversy following the team’s decision to fire head coach Mike Brown. The firing came after a string of disappointing performances. This included a crucial loss to the Detroit Pistons.
The spotlight on De’Aaron Fox intensified after it was revealed that he had an extended one-on-one conversation with Brown during practice just hours before the firing. The conversation between Fox and Brown came just days after the coach had publicly criticized Fox’s defensive effort on a late-game play. This sparked speculation about whether the Kentucky guard played a role in the firing of his coach.
We all know the job that we have. You can be traded at any point, released, cut, fired or whatever… I wouldn’t use the word guilt, but that’s the nature of the job that we have… At the end of the day, he’s still getting paid. That’s the great part about being a NBA player or a NBA coach is those things can happen but those contracts are guaranteed.
De’Aaron Fox told reporter Kirsten Moran-Kellar
Six months ago, the Kings appeared committed to long-term stability by extending Mike Brown’s contract with a 3-year, $30 million deal. Brown was expected to build on the team’s promising 2023-24 season, but defensive lapses have remained a recurring issue this year.
De’Aaron Fox on if there’s any pressure or guilt after the Kings fired Mike Brown:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 29, 2024
“We all know the job that we have. You can be traded at any point, released, cut, fired or whatever… I wouldn’t use the word guilt, but that’s the nature of the job that we have… At the end of… pic.twitter.com/c1VWymfTHW
Despite Brown’s firing, De’Aaron Fox attempted to find a silver lining, pointing out that the guaranteed money from the contract signed during the offseason would still cash out for the former Kings HC. However, Fox notably did express his surprise upon hearing of Brown’s firing by the team, not having known his conversation with his coach at practice would be his last.
De’Aaron Fox hints at major roster moves
The Kings’ defensive struggles have been a glaring problem, particularly in games like their recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Even after dismissing Coach Brown, their struggles continued when they conceded 132 points to the Lakers despite LeBron James not playing. After the Kings’ loss, De’Aaron Fox fueled speculation about the team’s future direction in his post-game comments.
We have to find a way to get better. Whether that’s players that aren’t in this locker room or the players in this locker room. We have to buckle down and get better.
De’Aaron Fox told The Athletic
Fox’s remarks were seen by many as a subtle nudge toward potential roster changes. He went on to acknowledge the rapidly improving Western Conference and the risk of the 12th seeded Kings falling behind if they fail to address their shortcomings sooner than later.
Given the possible speculation for major roster moves, the number one candidate on the trade block may be De’Aaron Fox himself. He has been embroiled in potential trade rumors throughout the season, which only intensified following Brown’s dismissal. Given Fox’s stated desire to play competitive basketball at a high-level, the spiraling Kings may soon fall out of favor with the 27-year-old star.
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Armaan Gupta
(292 Articles Published)