NBA Rumors: LA Lakers reporter predicts possibility of blockbuster De'Aaron Fox trade

The LA Lakers are reportedly linked to De'Aaron Fox amid the Sacramento Kings' five-game losing streak. According to insider Tim McMahon, the Klutch Sports connection may have led to people around league circles mentioning the Lakers as a landing spot in case Sacramento trades Fox.

Klutch Sports is an agency owned and founded by Rich Paul. Its roster of clients includes Fox and Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As the Lakers faithful drew up all kinds of possible trade packages that could work, the team's reporters, The Athletic's Jovan Buha and The Guardian's Claire de Lune, predicted the possibility of a deal coming to fruition between the Lakers and Kings.

Lune ruled out the chances of a blockbuster trade that lands Fox on the Lakers, citing the franchise's relationship with the Kings.

"I can't imagine a version of a Sacramento to Lakers specifically like those two teams interacting trade, where Sacramento doesn't just like take the kitchen sink from the Lakers and just rob them blind," she said on "The Buha's Block" on Friday. (14:44)

"I would imagine that the Lakers would probably be like absolutely bottom of their list of teams they'd like to send their best player to. If people wanna talk about the mythical Lakers tax I think this would probably be the scenario."

The LA Lakers-Sacramento Kings rivalry picked up steam over 20 years ago during their playoff battles in the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal three-peat era. There's been no love lost between the teams since. With the Kings and Lakers also in the same division, they are unlikely to engage with LA in a trade for De'Aaron Fox.

Even if they do, the Lakers might have to pay more than any other team. As Claire de Lune mentioned, the 'mythical' Lakers tax might be in effect.

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LA Lakers are better off rounding out the roster with depth over pursuing a big name like De'Aaron Fox

The LA Lakers have gone down the road of forming superteams and going top-heavy multiple times in franchise history. The outcome hasn't been remotely close to their expectations. Most recently, the Lakers went from being a surefire top-four team in the Western Conference to a lottery team after acquiring Russell Westbrook in the 2021-22 season.

Not only did it handicap the team that season, but it also restricted them from making roster improvements for long. That move still impacts the Lakers from making moves. They don't have the best assets to beat their competition to acquire coveted trade candidates.

As enticing of a prospect as De'Aaron Fox is, his $34.8 million salary this year and $37 million paycheck for next season would put the Lakers well over the second tax apron. They will lose their financial flexibility significantly as they won't be able to take more salary back in future trades if this doesn't work out.

The LA Lakers also won't be able to sign buyout candidates, and the rest of the roster will be full of veteran minimum contracts.