Spurs Could Consider De’Aaron Fox Draft Day Trade as Dylan Harper Emerges

The San Antonio Spurs may have just reached the point where patience is no longer the only option.

They are still fighting a battle with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, but that does not mean they can't look ahead a bit to the 2025 NBA Draft.

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In a recent article from Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey, the Spurs were labeled as a team that should consider trading their 2026 first-round pick rather than holding onto it. The reasoning had less to do with giving up on youth and more to do with how quickly the franchise’s timeline appears to be accelerating.

"Keeping most of the young core intact and adding the No. 20 pick to it would probably turn out just fine. But this Western Conference Finals appearance also shows the team is a little ahead of schedule," Bailey writes. "And that applies particularly to Dylan Harper. The rookie point guard looks ready to start now... So, assuming the Spurs don't win the title, trading De'Aaron Fox with that first-rounder attached could bring another wing to San Antonio while also opening up more lead-guard minutes for Harper."

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San Antonio owns the No. 20 overall selection in the upcoming draft, and under normal circumstances, that would fit perfectly into the organization’s long-term developmental model. The Spurs have built their roster carefully over the last few seasons, and they have prioritized young talent in the process.

But this season changed expectations.

Wembanyama has already emerged as one of the league’s most dominant two-way players, while Harper’s development reportedly has the organization believing he is ready for a major role sooner rather than later. 

That creates an interesting question for the front office heading into the offseason: continue building slowly, or push harder toward contention right now?

Many have suggested San Antonio could potentially trade veteran guard De'Aaron Fox in order to give Harper the spotlight he has shown he deserves this playoffs. And if hey packaged Fox with the No. 20 pick, they could get a serious return.

At the same time, trading Fox would not be a simple decision. Veteran guards with playoff experience are difficult to replace, and San Antonio has benefited from having another established creator alongside its younger players.

Ultimately, the Spurs remain in one of the strongest positions in the NBA. They have young stars, extra draft assets and flexibility. Whether they keep the pick or use it in a blockbuster move, the franchise appears positioned to stay in the Western Conference race for years to come.

But for now, they are focused on evening up the series on Thursday against the OKC Thunder, as they currently trail three games to two.