With general manager Monte McNair at the helm, the Kings are building what looks to be a strong nucleus.
De'Aaron Fox is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 25.2 points per game, Tyrese Haliburton looks like a star in the making, they added a defensive stopper in the draft with Davion Mitchell, Buddy Hield still is around, Harrison Barnes is a veteran leader and they brought back center Richaun Holmes in free agency.
And then there are the Ben Simmons rumors.
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All summer long, the Kings have been a surprise team connected to the Philadelphia 76ers All-Star. Despite these rumors, The Ringer's Paolo Uggeti reported Monday that "a league source said Fox is content in Sacramento." In fact, Fox has made that clear for quite some time now.
Just look at what he said after signing a five-year, $163 million max-money contract extension last December.
"I love it here, I love playing here, I love the fans," Fox said.
Fox wants to build a contender in Sacramento. He wants to be part of the team that finally ends the Kings' playoff drought. For a small-market team, that might be as important as anything.
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The 23-year-old is no slouch, either. He has improved as a scorer while also dishing out 7.2 assists per game last season.
Despite his faults, the Kings have to take a long look at Simmons. But they might not want to do it at the expense of Fox.