Spurs bet big on De'Aaron Fox's $229 million extension, ranking among the NBA's riskiest deals. Does his dynamic play justify the massive gamble?
The San Antonio Spurs made a major commitment when they signed star guard De'Aaron Fox to a four-year maximum extension worth roughly $229 million. While the move signals the franchise’s belief in Fox as a key piece of its future, some analysts have labeled the deal one of the NBA’s riskiest contracts heading into the next phase of the league.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus, he ranks what he believes are the 10 riskiest contracts by 2028. And at No. 4 on his list, he has Fox's contract, which will have him getting paid over $50 million when it kicks in.
"Fox was not a 'mistake' for the Spurs. The risk exists because of the size of his contract. He's the fourth-highest-earning player in the NBA on non-rookie-scale contracts, which is why he's ranked No. 4," Pincus wrote. "The Spurs have gone from an interesting team to a Western Conference powerhouse... Even if it takes another year for San Antonio to gain the experience necessary to win a championship, Fox was the kind of risk the team needed to take."
Fox arrived in San Antonio after a midseason trade from the Sacramento Kings and immediately became one of the most experienced offensive leaders on the roster. In his brief initial stretch with the San Antonio Spurs, he averaged nearly 20 points and close to seven assists per game across 17 appearances before a finger injury required season-ending surgery. Despite the limited sample size, the Spurs quickly moved to secure Fox long-term, locking him in through the 2029-30 season.
The reasoning is easy to understand. Fox has been one of the league’s most dynamic point guards since entering the NBA in 2017. Over his career, he has averaged more than 21 points and six assists per game, while using his elite speed and attacking style to pressure defenses and create opportunities for teammates. In theory, pairing that skillset with Wembanyama’s inside-outside dominance could give the Spurs a devastating offensive combination for years to come.
This contract extension will have him as one of the highest paid players in the entire NBA. And while Fox is a great player, he is not a top five player like his salary would suggest.
Still, risk often comes with ambition. For San Antonio, the Fox extension represents a bet on experience, leadership, and star power alongside Wembanyama. If Fox continues to perform at a high level and forms a strong on-court partnership with the Spurs’ young core, the contract could ultimately look like a necessary step toward returning the franchise to championship contention.
