Even after the San Antonio Spurs made it clear they have no intention to trade De'Aaron Fox anytime soon, the All-Star point guard is still a frequent fixture of NBA trade rumors.
Even after the San Antonio Spurs lost the NBA Finals, they kept beating the same drum: De'Aaron Fox is not on the trade block.
Some fans think that Fox single-handedly cost them the NBA Finals, and based on his poor showing, it's pretty hard to argue against it. After an All-Star season, he averaged just a dozen points when the Spurs needed him most.
On top of that, his minutes and salary are both getting in the way of Dylan Harper, who is seen as the Spurs' long-term future co-star next to Victor Wembanyama. Stephon Castle can co-exist with either guard, but Harper needs to be the one bringing the ball up the floor more often than not.
Just a year after signing him to a four-year maximum extension, Fox's time with the Spurs is running short.
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'Rational' Spurs Expected to Trade Fox
The prevailing belief is that the Spurs are keenly aware that they will trade Fox either before the February deadline or next summer, but not before then. That means they have to keep him happy and active, at least until his value rises.
As soon as that happens, though, he's as good as gone.
"Fox's playoff struggles came after an All-Star season and were owed largely to a sprained ankle, but that doesn't change the bigger-picture concern that he's in the way of two more valuable young players in Castle and Harper while also clogging up the books through 2029-30 when he'll earn a ridiculous $61.4 million," wrote Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes.
"Any rational view of San Antonio's long-term future does not include the version of Fox we saw in the playoffs. Unless he puts together one of the best seasons of his career, it'll become difficult to see him in the Spurs' plans beyond this year."
It's hard to imagine Fox's value ever getting back up to three first-round picks, but at this point, getting off his salary is a top priority. The Spurs will soon be up against the second apron, and shedding Fox's contract is an easy way to save some coin.
"Rational" teams rarely trade a star simply to dump salary, although most teams don't have the unique window the Spurs have been presented with.
Fox doesn't have both feet out the door. There's plenty of time for him to redeem himself. But until he does, the clock is ticking.
