The San Antonio Spurs are not expected to trade away De'Aaron Fox this season, but if he manages to restore his reputation around the NBA, expect the Spurs to field some offers.
The San Antonio Spurs are not expected to trade away De'Aaron Fox this season. After the NBA Finals, fans called on the Spurs to make a move and part ways with the veteran point guard, although the team opted to lean into two truths.
First, there isn't much of a market for him. He's about to start the first season of a four-year maximum contract, and after the Finals, teams aren't exactly clamoring to add him.
Second, the Spurs still see him as a long-term piece. Yes, they will eventually have to part ways with him in order to make financial room for Dylan Harper, but that's still three years away. For now, the Spurs are content to have the best guard room in the league.
Could that change, though?
Path for Spurs to Trade De'Aaron Fox Revealed
There is a bit of a conundrum in San Antonio. On one hand, Fox played so poorly in the Finals that his trade value tanked. On the other hand, if he manages to restore his reputation, why on Earth would the Spurs want to trade him away?
Sure, there's an argument to be made that they should open up some minutes for Harper, but with everyone under contract long-term, there's no reason not to carry on with Harper, Fox, and Stephon Castle.
Even if Fox manages to increase his trade value, his long contract would make potential suitors balk.
"It will be tough to trade a guy with four years and $221 million on his upcoming contract, he does figure to crop back up in NBA trade rumors if, in fact, he plays well coming out of the gate," wrote Heavy's Sean Deveney. "He does not have a long-term future in San Antonio, but he does have a long-term contract."
Fox probably won't finish out his contract in San Antonio. It's hard to imagine a world where that's a realistic possibility. But it's equally hard to imagine the Spurs rushing a trade. Moving on from him is an inevitability, but that doesn't mean it's urgent.
If Fox returns to form next season and keeps it up in the playoffs, the NBA has no answer for San Antonio.
