MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kings interim coach Doug Christie knows what it feels like to be traded midseason.
That’s because it happened to him, in Sacramento, where he spent the majority of his playing career. So he understands all too well what De’Aaron Fox experienced Monday when the team officially shipped its star point guard off to San Antonio as part of a three-team trade.
“Ever since the first time I saw him play, (I) was a big-time fan, and this doesn’t change anything as far as always rooting for him,” Christie said before Monday night’s 116-114 victory at Minnesota. “I told him as much.”
Fox was drafted fifth overall by the Kings in 2017. He is averaging 25 points and 6.1 assists in 45 games in his eighth season in the league.
The Kings also sent Kevin Huerter to the Chicago Bulls and Jordan McLaughlin to the Spurs. They acquired guards Zach LaVine from the Bulls and Sidy Cissoko from the Spurs, plus three first-round and three second-round draft picks.
“Roller coaster, man,” Kings guard Malik Monk said. “We lost three of our brothers, two of them have been with us since I’ve been here. It’s a tough thing.”