Peja Stojakovic Accuses Rich Paul of Blackmail in De'Aaron Fox Trade From Sacramento Kings to San Antonio Spurs
(Image Source- Getty Images)
What began as an exciting three-team trade has now turned into a scandal. Peja Stojakovic, the former Sacramento Kings star and executive, has made a shocking claim — he says that agent Rich Paul essentially "blackmailed" the Kings into trading De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, not for the best deal, but to push Klutch Sports' interests.
Peja Stojakovic claims Rich Paul controlled De'Aaron Fox trade destination to the San Antonio Spurs
On the NBA Out of Bounds and NBA Mozzart podcasts, Peja Stojakovic mentioned that Rich Paul gave a "directive" about where De'Aaron Fox should go, essentially "blackmailing the Kings" into sealing the deal with the San Antonio Spurs. Consequently, Sacramento Kings was said to have missed out on the chance to consider offers from other teams, which Peja Stojakovic thinks restricted their negotiation options.
At the center of the deal was a three-team swap in February 2025 that sent De'Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin to the San Antonio Spurs, while Zach LaVine, another Rich Paul client, landed in Sacramento King from the Chicago Bulls, along with multiple future draft selections.
The Kings received three first-round picks (for 2025, 2027 and 2031) plus three seconds, and flipped prospect Sidy Cissoko for center Jonas Valanciunas.
Statistically, De'Aaron Fox had impressive stats in his 17 games with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 19.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds before a finger injury at the end of the season put him out of action.
On the other hand, Zach LaVine joined Sacramento's backcourt, but the team ended up with a 40–42 record and didn't make the playoffs.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
This Wrinkle Cream Keeps Selling Out At Costco (Find Out Why)
The Skincare Magazine
Undo
Peja Stojakovic believes that if the Kings had explored more options for trading De'Aaron Fox, they could have gotten a better return than just draft picks and one standout player.
This isn't the first time Rich Paul has faced accusations of manipulating things behind the scenes: critics were quick to blame him during the Anthony Davis trade to the Lakers back in 2019.
Now, the growing claims from a well-respected former executive highlight how influential agents, particularly those representing several high-profile clients, can sway trade dynamics and impact franchise decisions.
Peja Stojakovic's statements make us rethink if NBA trades are just a front-office thing or if agents like Rich Paul actually have a say in the matter. If teams are limited by what their clients want, especially with the risk of losing star players, it seems like the power dynamics in trade discussions could be changing. For Kings fans, the lingering question is: was De'Aaron Fox really worth the price they paid?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
New York Knicks set to hold talks with Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins for their head coach job: Report
The New York Knicks are in search of a new head coach and according to a report in ESPN, the team and the higher management are planning to hold talks with former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown and former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins for their head coaching job. The same report states that the meeting is expected to be held next week. If the meetings go through next week, this will mark the first stage of formal interviews for the New York Knicks head coach post. It must be mentioned that this is not the first time that Brown has thrown his hat into the ring; he previously interviewed for the post in 2020. He also made a strong impression, but the New York Knicks eventually hired Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks' hunt for a new coach has not been going according to plan, as several other teams have already rebuffed them in their search. According to ESPN, the Dalles Mavericks rejected the Knicks' request to speak with their head coach, Jason Kidd, earlier this week. The team also asked to speak with Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, but they were denied. It must be mentioned that the Knicks began the hunt for a new coach after firing Tom Thibodeau last week. This move surprised several fans after he had led the team to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Both Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins have solid resumes, so it's no surprise that the New York Knicks are interested in using their services. Brown was named the NBA Coach of the Year in his first season with the Sacramento Kings in 2022-23 after he helped the team end their longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons. He had a 107-88 record in his two-plus seasons with the team. However, he was fired midway through his third season. Brown had previously coached Cleveland and the Lakers. Overall, he has a 455-304 career record, making the playoffs in seven of his nine full seasons. Speaking of Jenkins, who was fired in March, had previously served as Grizzlies coach since 2019-20. The team made three postseason appearances with Jenkins, with one playoff series win.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Peja Stojakovic Accuses Rich Paul of Blackmail in De'Aaron Fox Trade From Sacramento Kings to San Antonio Spurs
(Image Source- Getty Images) What began as an exciting three-team trade has now turned into a scandal. Peja Stojakovic, the former Sacramento Kings star and executive, has made a shocking claim — he says that agent Rich Paul essentially "blackmailed" the Kings into trading De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, not for the best deal, but to push Klutch Sports' interests. Peja Stojakovic claims Rich Paul controlled De'Aaron Fox trade destination to the San Antonio Spurs On the NBA Out of Bounds and NBA Mozzart podcasts, Peja Stojakovic mentioned that Rich Paul gave a "directive" about where De'Aaron Fox should go, essentially "blackmailing the Kings" into sealing the deal with the San Antonio Spurs. Consequently, Sacramento Kings was said to have missed out on the chance to consider offers from other teams, which Peja Stojakovic thinks restricted their negotiation options. At the center of the deal was a three-team swap in February 2025 that sent De'Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin to the San Antonio Spurs, while Zach LaVine, another Rich Paul client, landed in Sacramento King from the Chicago Bulls, along with multiple future draft selections. The Kings received three first-round picks (for 2025, 2027 and 2031) plus three seconds, and flipped prospect Sidy Cissoko for center Jonas Valanciunas. Statistically, De'Aaron Fox had impressive stats in his 17 games with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 19.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds before a finger injury at the end of the season put him out of action. On the other hand, Zach LaVine joined Sacramento's backcourt, but the team ended up with a 40–42 record and didn't make the playoffs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Wrinkle Cream Keeps Selling Out At Costco (Find Out Why) The Skincare Magazine Undo Peja Stojakovic believes that if the Kings had explored more options for trading De'Aaron Fox, they could have gotten a better return than just draft picks and one standout player. This isn't the first time Rich Paul has faced accusations of manipulating things behind the scenes: critics were quick to blame him during the Anthony Davis trade to the Lakers back in 2019. Now, the growing claims from a well-respected former executive highlight how influential agents, particularly those representing several high-profile clients, can sway trade dynamics and impact franchise decisions. Peja Stojakovic's statements make us rethink if NBA trades are just a front-office thing or if agents like Rich Paul actually have a say in the matter. If teams are limited by what their clients want, especially with the risk of losing star players, it seems like the power dynamics in trade discussions could be changing. For Kings fans, the lingering question is: was De'Aaron Fox really worth the price they paid?
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Ram Arvindh and Chaturved sizzle as Panthers take down Kovai Kings
R. Ram Arvindh's well-crafted 64 (48b, 4x4, 3x6) and a quickfire cameo from skipper N. S. Chaturved (46 n.o., 23b, 4x4, 3x6) helped Siechem Madurai Panthers beat Lyca Kovai Kings by seven wickets in the final league game of the Coimbatore leg of the TNPL-9 at the Sri Ramakrishna College here on Wednesday. Pursuing 170, openers Ram and B. Anirudh Sita Ram (37) showed that batters could score at a brisk pace while playing conventional shots and gave their side a solid start. The duo displayed positive intent while minimising risk during their 88-run alliance. Ram showed great range, sweeping and late-cutting M. Shahrukh Khan for a six and four. He then lofted N. Kabilan and walked down to flick the pacer through the leg-side majestically. Later, skipper Chaturved came out guns blazing, smashing Jhatavedh Subramanyan for two sixes and a four in the 13th over and got the job done. Earlier, for the second match in succession, the Kovai Kings' batters failed, and it was left to skipper Shahrukh to save his outfit from the blemish with an entertaining unbeaten 77 (44b, 8x4, 4x6) that took the team to 169 for five. Asked to bat, Kings started well, getting to 55 for one in the PowerPlay, but the Panthers' spinners pulled back, picking up wickets in regular intervals to reduce the home side to 107 for five. Shahrukh was at his flamboyant best, striking cleanly, but lacked support from his teammates. He gave the final flourish, smashing pacer S. Surya Anand for consecutive sixes in the 19th and finished the innings with a hat-trick of fours off Gurjapneet Singh. However, it was not enough for the Kings to avoid a second straight defeat in their backyard. The scores: Lyca Kovai Kings 169/5 in 20 overs (M. Shahrukh Khan 77 n.o.) lost to Siechem Madurai Panthers 171/3 in 17.5 overs (R. Ram Arvindh 64, B. Anirudh Sita Ram 37, N.S. Chaturved 46 n.o.). Toss: Panthers. Next match: At Salem (June 13): Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs SKM Salem Spartans (7.15 p.m.).
