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Did De’Aaron Fox Miss His Opportunity To Become An All-Star?

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 23: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on December 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 23: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on December 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox will be an All-Star regular. But when? And did he miss a golden opportunity this season?

De’Aaron Fox was dominant for the Sacramento Kings in their victory over the Grizzlies on Thursday evening.

After losing eight straight games since he returned to the lineup from his Grade-3 ankle sprain, Sacramento was able to get off the schneid by beating Memphis 128-123 in a game that featured 14 lead changes and a 20 point comeback.

It was Fox who led the way with 27 points while also adding nine assists and four rebounds. But it was his five steals and two blocked shots that helped turn around a Kings’ defense that struggled mightily in the first quarter. It was the kind of performance that we know Fox is capable of, though he has been inconsistent since his return from injury.

While it is almost certain that Fox will one day be an NBA All-Star, the question is when. Had Fox not suffered the ankle sprain that forced him to miss 17 games this season and regularly had nights like he did last night, he would certainly be in the conversation for the 2020 game in Chicago.

But the competition in the Western Conference is fierce for backcourt players. Fox would have to beat out one of James Harden, Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, or D’Angelo Russell. It would be a tall task, but a healthy Fox could give a few of those guys a run for their money.

But did Fox miss out on a golden opportunity this season? With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson out of the running for backcourt All-Star votes due to their respective injuries, the door might have been more open this season than any in the near future.

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Fox is young, of course, while most of his All-Star competition are in their early 30’s. It is only a matter of time before he surpasses some of them in the ballotting, and it could be as early as next season.

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