The San Antonio Spurs have a De’Aaron Fox problem.
A few weeks ago, the Spurs seemed solidified as the NBA’s next big darlings. They beat the much-disliked defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, had youth, talent, a trip to the Finals, and a bright future built around Victor Wembanyama. Today, one of the biggest questions hanging over the franchise is whether De’Aaron Fox should even be part of that future.
Fox had a nightmare 2026 NBA Finals. The veteran guard averaged just 12.8 points per game while shooting 34.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. His struggles weren’t limited to the box score either. His defense was inconsistent, his shot selection was questionable, and his decision-making became a major talking point throughout the series.
Nothing summed up his Finals better than the closing moments of Game 4.
With the Spurs up one and under 20 seconds remaining, Fox had a chance to help seal the game. Instead of pulling the ball out and forcing New York to foul, he attacked the rim for a layup that got blocked. The Knicks went the other way, stole the game via OG Anunoby’s heart-stopping tip-in, and took a commanding 3-1 series lead. Many trace it back to his questionable decision, and it’s one that may leave a permanent mark on his career.
Even worse, in came Game 5. While rookie Dylan Harper exploded for 25 points, Fox managed just seven points on 3-of-15 shooting in the season-ending loss, all while fans alike are already fuming on his horrible stretch. By the final buzzer, the conversation wasn’t only about Fox staying put in Texas, but more about how soon could the Spurs ship him out.
The contract only makes the discussion tougher.
Last August, Fox signed a four-year, $229 million extension that keeps him under contract through the 2029-30 season. That’s a massive commitment for a player who just turned 30 and is coming off one of the roughest Finals performances by a star guard in recent memory.
Normally, a team would simply ride it out and hope for a bounce-back season. But the Spurs aren’t a normal team.
They already have their franchise cornerstone in Wembanyama. They also have one of the league’s most exciting young guards in Dylan Harper, who looked increasingly ready for a larger role as the playoffs progressed. Harper averaged 18 points in the Finals and often looked more comfortable than Fox against New York’s defense.
That’s why Devin Vassell’s comments after Game 5 were so interesting.
Speaking about Harper, Vassell revealed, “He was upset with playing time and the different roles he was in. But when we needed him most, he stepped up. We have a star in the making.”
It’s hard not to connect those comments to Fox. Every minute Harper spent watching from the bench was a minute Fox was on the floor. As Harper continued to produce, the pressure on the coaching staff to reduce Fox’s role only grew.
So, should the Spurs trade him?
From a basketball standpoint, it’s becoming a reasonable conversation. Harper needs room to grow. The Spurs’ timeline is centered around players in their early 20s. Fox’s contract will only get more difficult to move as he ages.
The problem is that trading him is much easier to talk about than actually doing. A contract worth $229 million doesn’t disappear overnight, especially after a disappointing Finals showing. San Antonio would likely have to be patient and hope Fox rebuilds his value.
And that’s what makes this decision so fascinating.
The Spurs definitely need a veteran leader. The question is whether Fox should still be that guy. Does he deserve another chance after one bad Finals run? Are people being too harsh too quickly? Or is it time to let the young core fully take over, find a different veteran presence, and allow the next era of Spurs basketball to shine?
