4 Pressing questions Kings still need to answer after quiet trade deadline

2. Can De’Aaron Fox raise his game in the playoffs?

Fox is a star and one of the best point guards in the NBA, but can he elevate his game when things matter most? All the all-time greats go to another level in the playoffs. Does Fox have an iconic performance in the postseason that pushes him into a new tier?

The 26-year-old keeps getting better and is just entering his prime. He is setting new career highs in points, steals, and 3-pointers made this season. His increase in volume and percentage from long range has been massive. He is in the top 20 in threes attempted per game and has connected on 37.6 percent.

Fox had two 38-point games in his first playoff experience in 2023. He struggled with his efficiency against the defending champion Warriors in that first-round series, but there were flashes. Can the 6’3 guard take it another step this year? The experience will help, but going nuclear is never easy.

The Sacramento Kings need De’Aaron Fox to play like the best player in the series if they are going to win. They need him to get buckets, make plays, create turnovers, and limit his miscues. It is a massive ask, but that comes with being the top option on a contender. Fox is not the only player who must step up.