The San Antonio Spurs have plenty of assets to overhaul their roster once the offseason kicks off, and one move is already gaining some traction.
The San Antonio Spurs are in the midst of the Western Conference Semifinals, but with a bright future centered on Victor Wembanyama, fans can't help but look ahead.
In the last two drafts, the Spurs selected Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, who look poised to run the backcourt for the next several seasons. As they develop--Harper especially--the Spurs have given De'Aaron Fox a maximum contract to keep the ship steady in the meantime.
The assumption is that Fox will not finish his contract in San Antonio, instead being traded to make room for Harper. However, as Harper steps up in the playoffs, that deal could be made sooner rather than later.
Spurs Urged to Trade Fox ASAP
In the regular season, Fox averaged a solid 18.6 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals, making the All-Star Game. His 3-point shooting has been shaky his entire career, but he is known as one of the more clutch players in the NBA.
In his rookie season, Harper posted 11.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 0.8 steals. He came off the bench and, like Fox, was inconsistent from deep.
In the postseason, however, Harper has increased his scoring, starred on defense, and been one of the better shooters still remaining in the playoffs. Fox, meanwhile, has been solid but failed to elevate his game when it mattered most.
With Harper clearly ready for a bigger role, the Spurs could move on from Fox just one year after inking him to a maximum extension.
"The presumption is that, eventually, the Spurs are going to hand the keys to their young guards, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle," wrote Heavy's Sean Deveney. "They already look ready, and moving Fox while he still is at the top of his value would be wise."
Teams like the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns could all use a traditional point guard to bring a steady hand to the offense. Fox certainly fits the bill, but with four years left on his contract and $229 million owed to him, the Spurs might not be able to get a massive haul.
Still, for financial flexibility, it could be worth considering, especially if Harper continues to dazzle as the Spurs run through the Western Conference.