Through conversations with Kings officials in recent weeks, Houston Rockets officials were aware of the increasing likelihood of a potential De'Aaron Fox trade away from Sacramento, especially as the prospect of the 27-year-old guard signing a long-term extension with the Kings became less and less plausible.

The NBA trade deadline draws closer by the day, and as always, the transaction cycle remains headlined by the same small group of players. On Monday, the Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a shootaround upon receiving the news that he would be benched.

De’Aaron Fox may soon be headed out of Sacramento. The Kings are “expected to open up talks to potentially” trade Fox ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania . Charania added that “it’s believed that Fox has a target destination in mind.”