Being exceptionally talented in basketball currently comes with significant financial rewards, and De`Aaron Fox perfectly exemplifies this. It`s therefore not surprising that he has just secured a four-year, $229 million extension with the Spurs. This new deal keeps him with the team until 2030, by which time he`ll be 32 and will have amassed an astonishing $416 million in career earnings.
This figure surpasses the career earnings of legendary point guard Chris Paul. Despite this, Fox has only made one All-Star appearance and has yet to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs. This disparity further highlights the lucrative nature of excelling in today`s NBA.
Let`s analyze Fox`s new contract by considering three key aspects.
1. Is This Contract an Overpay?
Viewed in isolation, one might argue yes. However, the Spurs are uniquely capable of accommodating a substantial contract, and when considered within their long-term strategy – which we`ll explore shortly – it becomes more logical.
Even within the broader landscape of NBA contracts, it`s crucial to reiterate Fox`s high skill level. While some debate whether he ranks among the top 10 point guards, this discussion largely underscores the incredible depth of talent currently in the league.
In reality, it`s difficult to name more than six – or arguably even five, in my opinion – point guards who are unequivocally superior to Fox:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luka Doncic
- Stephen Curry
- Jalen Brunson
- Tyrese Haliburton
- James Harden
Personally, including Harden is debatable, particularly given he`s almost a decade older than Fox. Nevertheless, he did earn an All-NBA selection last season, so he can be included, bringing the total to six.
Beyond these players, we enter the tier of Trae Young, Ja Morant, and Darius Garland. Tyrese Maxey could also be considered in this group. (Damian Lillard is excluded from this comparison due to the unique circumstances of his Milwaukee buyout and subsequent Portland signing).
In this group, compelling arguments can be made for any of these players, including Fox, as the standard for the second-tier of point guards. While you may order them as you prefer, the underlying point is that they all command maximum contracts.
| PLAYER | CONTRACT LENGTH | MAX VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Trae Young | 5 years | $207M |
| Ja Morant | 5 years | $231M |
| Darius Garland | 5 years | $231M |
| Tyrese Maxey | 5 years | $204M |
For Morant and Garland, achieving an All-NBA selection is a prerequisite to unlocking the full value of their maximum contracts. Maxey`s deal was a rookie extension. Young, Garland, and Morant are all currently eligible for extensions, and it`s highly probable they will reference Fox`s contract value, or even exceed it, as a baseline in their negotiations. It`s worth noting that all these figures are tied to a percentage of the salary cap at the time of signing; Fox`s final amount might be slightly lower if the cap increase is less than anticipated.
However, these details are minor. Generally speaking, these are comparable players receiving similar compensation. The key distinction with Fox`s contract is its four-year term, which results in a significantly higher annual value compared to the players just mentioned. Crucially, his contract also expires at a specific, strategic point in San Antonio`s long-term plan, leading us to the Spurs-specific implications of this agreement.
2. How Does This Deal Affect Future Salary Cap Space?
While Fox`s contract is substantial, it acts as a manageable bridge due to San Antonio`s remarkably clean salary cap situation. If the Spurs already had another maximum contract player, adding Fox as a second, especially with Wembanyama`s future extension looming, would be far more challenging. However, this is not their current predicament. Devin Vassell is the only other player earning over $19 million this upcoming year, and even once Wembanyama`s extension kicks in during the 2027-28 season, the Spurs are projected to remain comfortably below the luxury tax threshold.
This provides a two-year window before a potential third maximum contract (possibly for Stephon Castle) comes onto their books. This two-year period is precisely when San Antonio aims to transition from a lottery team to a playoff contender. This timing is crucial, offering Wembanyama, Castle, and this year`s No. 2 overall pick, Dylan Harper, valuable high-pressure NBA experience early in their careers.
If this core group remains intact, Fox`s contract will be entering its final year just as Harper`s rookie extension begins. At that juncture, the Spurs could emulate the Oklahoma City Thunder`s strategy: building around three young, maximum-contract players who have developed and achieved success together.
3. Will the Spurs Eventually Trade Him?
Conventional wisdom suggests that Fox will indeed be traded before his contract concludes, likely later in the deal when he becomes an expiring asset. This would allow the Spurs to fully commit to their young core while still gaining some value for Fox. However, a trade could potentially occur much sooner.
This hinges on several factors, primarily the development of Stephon Castle and, more importantly, Dylan Harper, who is envisioned as San Antonio`s future long-term point guard if projections hold true. Should Harper show early promise in that role (though this is not guaranteed, as Portland`s experience with Scoot Henderson illustrates), the Spurs might consider trading Fox earlier in his contract if another team is willing to absorb his significant salary.
This brings us to the other side of the coin. While Fox`s deal makes strategic sense for the Spurs, in a different salary cap scenario, this is a very large contract for a player who isn`t a definitive superstar. Trading him would prove challenging, particularly from a salary-matching perspective.
Even if Fox completes his entire contract term with San Antonio, the team is structured to remain below the luxury tax until at least 2029. However, my prediction is that either Fox, Castle, or possibly even Harper will be traded by 2028. The decision on which of these two players San Antonio chooses to build around alongside Wembanyama, beyond this immediate transitional phase, will be a fascinating storyline to watch over the coming years.
