The San Antonio Spurs have been rumored to be shopping De'Aaron Fox around the league, but they have to come to terms with one reality before they can actually trade him.
After a lackluster NBA Finals performance, the San Antonio Spurs have been urged by fans to trade De'Aaron Fox. However, moving on from a player who just had a career lowlight--and is making maximum money--is easier said than done.
Plus, the Spurs are confident that their backcourt trio of Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle will be even better next season. Despite fans' wishes, there is no rush to move on from Fox.
That would require Harper to full buy-into being a reserve for his second season. In the name of winning, he seems eager to remain a bench player, knowing fully that it's temporary, and he will be given the reins to the offense sooner rather than later.
Spurs Offer De'Aaron Fox Trade Update
The Spurs, to their credit, are playing things pretty close to the chest. If there were to be an offer for Fox, it makes sense that San Antonio would pounce all over it. However, instead of alienating their veteran leader, the Spurs remain loyal--at least to the media.
"Multiple team and league sources said the Spurs still see Fox as a critical part of the team’s future," reported The Athletic's Jared Weiss.
Now, if his trade value were higher and moving him this summer were on the table, the Spurs might be more open about their plans to ship him off.
For now, they remain high on the point guard.
"The Spurs have downplayed Fox’s playoff struggles as a product of playing through an ankle injury and maintain that his real issue was his inability to convert a lot of good looks," Weiss added. "There is also an understanding, according to those sources, that Fox is not tradeable on his contract at the moment, and rehabbing his value with a good playoff performance next season will be crucial to an inevitable backcourt succession plan."
If Fox looks poised to make a second-straight All-Star Game next season, interest surrounding him might heat up. If the Spurs go on another deep playoff run and Fox actually does his part to help, then interest might go up.
For now, though, he's grossly overpaid and is holding back the young core, especially Harper, although the Spurs' hands are tied.
