As the Miami Heat are connected to Sacramento Kings star De'Aaron Fox after reports of the guard possibly being moved ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, Bam Adebayo could be a key factor in the decision. The Heat were even favored at one point to acquire Fox with one of the reasons being the connection between himself and Fox.

That’s because the Spurs — reportedly Fox’s preferred trade destination — currently have nine tradeable first-round picks that they can include in a deal to the Heat’s one tradeable first-round selection. San Antonio also has young talent such as Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and others who it can add to any trade package for Fox.

The Miami Heat could enter the race to acquire Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox via trade this season or free agency next summer. "He played with Bam Adebayo [in college]," ESPN's Tim Bontemps said on the Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective podcast.

Though the Kings star is making his future intentions clear, he's doing so while giving Sacramento a chance to fully evaluate the market.

But Adebayo said Wednesday that he has not talked to Fox about any trade possibilities. Also, it has been reported that the San Antonio Spurs are Fox’s preferred trade destination. But Vincent

Regardless of whether the Sacramento Kings move De'Aaron Fox by the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, they need to recognize this as an organizational pivot point.

In today's edition: The college GM arms race, five teams to watch ahead of the NBA trade deadline, January baseball, Embiid misses his 400th game, $300 million for one goal, and more. Manchester City nearly crashed out, but came from behind in the second half, and in the end, all European giants reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

De’Aaron Fox’s time apart of the Sacramento Kings may be at its end as the team announces they may be willing to trade him before the Feb. 6 deadline. Fox is cu

“In this business, you have to put those emotions aside,” Fox said. “Obviously, everybody especially who were here during that long (postseason drought), and who was on this team when we made the playoffs, obviously that means a lot to everybody.

De'Aaron Fox is the new name on the market after sending signals he doesn't want to commit long-term to the Kings. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler remains suspended as the Heat decide his future.

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.