A Royal Pain
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Opinion: De’Aaron Fox Represents Change in Sacramento

By Sanjesh Singh

iJun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; De'Aaron Fox (Kentucky) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number five overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
iJun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; De'Aaron Fox (Kentucky) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number five overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The excitement post-draft is real. It seems that everyone drafted to the Sacramento Kings is loving it here. But that isn’t possible without De’Aaron Fox.

It wasn’t official, but almost everyone expected De’Aaron Fox to be drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA Draft:

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/878054574283554817

I cannot recall a time in recent years where the optimism was so high for just one player. All over my Twitter feed, @officialSanjesh, all I would see is people being proud of Fox coming to Sacramento. And that is when it hit me: Drafting Fox was the stepping stone for a culture change. When someone is excited to go to a certain team, typically players will follow suit.

The Kings aren’t into the free agency period just yet, but the four players drafted seemed ecstatic to join Sacramento.

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/878426796978388992

All four draftees De’Aaron Fox, Justin Jackson, Harry Giles and Frank Mason always appeared happy to be a King, as shown by their smiles and tweets.

The picks made by the front office with Divac at the helm were incredible. Fox was a necessary pick and drafting Mason will make those two a fantastic combo. Trading the #10 pick for the #15 and #20 was huge. Justin Jackson, small forward from North Carolina, was a solid addition because he became the only active small forward on the roster. Giles is a high risk/reward player considering he has dealt with knee issues recently.

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; De’Aaron Fox (Kentucky) shows off the inside of his suit after being introduced as the number five overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; De’Aaron Fox (Kentucky) shows off the inside of his suit after being introduced as the number five overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

All of the picks were exactly what was needed. Players that want to play for the team are always the players you want, no matter what. Luckily for the Kings, we got four of them in one night!

Another reason De’Aaron brings in culture change is the fans! I don’t know one Kings fan that did not want Fox to be drafted. All four draft picks were greeted with huge cheers and welcome and that is why Sacramento has the best fans (not you Warriors). Even Frank Mason was greeted by plenty of fans. What other fan base does that for a second round pick?

If the free agency period can be as good as the draft (players wanting to come here), it looks like a bright future for the Kings. And if one day, one day the Kings make the playoffs in a few years (hopefully), we can thank De’Aaron Fox for bringing in the culture change the Kings and their fans so desperately needed.

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