Following Stephon Castle’s Rookie of the Year achievement and Dylan Harper’s selection as the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, questions have surfaced about how De’Aaron Fox fits into the San Antonio Spurs’ long-term plans. The Spurs face a crucial decision on whether to pursue a De’Aaron Fox Spurs extension as they balance their backcourt future with these emerging players.
NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that the Spurs’ choice to extend Fox is not guaranteed, given that Castle and Harper already have multiple years secured with the team. Fox, who was traded from the Sacramento Kings to San Antonio in February, will enter unrestricted free agency following the 2025-26 season.
Contract Extension Landscape for De’Aaron Fox and Comparison to Luka Dončić
As of the current moment, Fox is eligible to negotiate a contract extension worth up to four years and $223 million. However, industry chatter suggests the deal might fall short of the maximum. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints noted that
“an extension worth slightly less than the max”
is the most likely outcome for Fox’s new contract.
The Spurs’ deliberations come shortly after the Los Angeles Lakers finalized a significant contract extension with Luka Dončić, who was also acquired in a midseason trade during the 2024-25 campaign. Dončić agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum extension, locking down his position with the Lakers and preventing him from reaching free agency next summer.
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka remarked after the contract signing that
“Luka Dončić’s future is with the Los Angeles Lakers.”
Dončić’s contract choice includes a player option, potentially allowing him to secure an even bigger deal earlier than the full four-year maximum.
Fox’s Performance Challenges and Injury Recovery
Fox’s productivity declined after joining San Antonio, with his scoring average dropping from 25.0 points per game in Sacramento to 19.7 points per game with the Spurs. This slump coincided with a hand injury that required surgery in March, with the team revealing that Fox had been playing while injured since October.
The upcoming offseason will give Fox the necessary time to recover fully, potentially paving the way for a return to his previous level of offensive output. Prior to the 2024-25 season, Fox had maintained a scoring average of at least 23 points per game for six consecutive seasons.
Financial Strategy and Future Extensions for Spurs’ Core Players
The Spurs’ front office must also consider upcoming contract negotiations for Victor Wembanyama, who will be eligible next summer for a five-year, $271 million extension starting in 2027, as reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Balancing Wembanyama’s massive potential contract alongside Fox’s extension will be critical for the team’s salary cap management.
Restricting the length and financial terms of Fox’s extension could help the Spurs maintain flexibility while building around Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper. This strategic approach aims to maximize the team’s ability to develop and retain a strong, young core moving forward.