- Editor's note: Watch "Kings Central" with Monte McNair on Wednesday, March 23 at approximately 7 p.m. after "Kings Postgame Live."
Have you ever heard the story about The Fox and The Ox?
Kings guard De’Aaron Fox and big man Domantas Sabonis are the new hottest duo in the 916, and it didn’t take long for Sacramento fans to come up with their perfect nickname.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Despite Sabonis being in Sactown for just over a month, the 6-foot-11 center is already adored by fans, and his immediate connection with Fox has reflected on the court.
Kings general manager Monte McNair sat down with NBC Sports California’s Kyle Draper on the latest "Kings Central" to talk about what he’s liked from the pair so far.
“Fantastic nickname, right?” McNair said. “I don’t know who came up with it, but it’s awesome. Domas showed up a few hours before the first game he played in and they were fantastic together, and it’s been great ever since.”
In their first game ever playing together, The Fox and The Ox combined for 49 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists in the Kings’ 132-119 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 9.
NBA
Sacramento has struggled to maintain big leads and has let games slip away. Their hopes of ending their 16-year playoff drought probably won’t happen this season.
But interim head coach Alvin Gentry has emphasized that the focus for the remainder of the season is to build relationships, build trust, and build a culture.
Although the Kings haven’t found much success this season, the addition of Sabonis, along with others, will be crucial for the future of the franchise.
And the energy The Fox and The Ox bring to the hardwood gives fans a glimpse of what’s to come.
“We’ve seen De’Aaron play some of the best basketball he’s played in his career lately,” McNair said. “And credit to him of course, but I’m sure credit to the pairing of The Fox and The Ox. Domas just makes everyone around him better with not just his passing, but his intensity, his focus, his ability to draw defensive attention to play multiple positions on defense, where he can guard on the perimeter, he can protect the rim, he’s a fantastic rebounder.
“That’s something we struggled with that before the trade and we’re a top-five, top 10 defensive rebounding team since. So a lot of credit to him, a lot of credit to both those guys and how they raise their teammates around them.”
RELATED: Sabonis' bruised knee to be re-evaluated after road trip
The Kings acquired Sabonis, a two-time All-Star, in a blockbuster trade that sent Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to Indiana, and Tristan Thompson to the Chicago Bulls.
In addition to Sabonis, Sacramento received Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a 2023 second-round draft pick.
Although the trade news shocked the NBA world, especially Kings fans at the time, McNair believes this new squad is promising for years to come.