On Monday, the San Antonio Spurs finalized a four-year, $229 million max contract extension with guard De’Aaron Fox, who had appeared in only 17 games for the team since joining from the Sacramento Kings in February. This contract signing immediately sparked debate regarding its worth and the impact on the Spurs’ roster.
The deal attracted criticism from some who questioned whether Fox, despite his talent, deserved such a substantial commitment. Skeptics pointed out that the Spurs already have promising young guards including Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, adding to concerns about how Fox’s contract could affect their development.
Amid the backlash, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green publicly supported Fox’s contract extension, pushing back against the negative reactions. Green emphasized that Fox will maintain his current level of play over the coming years, countering views that the contract was premature or excessive.
Responding directly to critic Kevin O’Connor, Green wrote on Threads,
“Imagine the pieces you can bring in, in that salary slot, to help speed up a rebuild. One thing for certain, in the next 24 months, Fox will not be a worse player than he is today,”
highlighting his confidence in Fox’s continued impact.
Assessing the Foreseeable Outcomes for Fox and the Spurs
The concerns voiced by some analysts and fans have valid points. Fox’s extended presence could potentially obstruct the growth opportunities for younger Spurs guards like Castle and Harper. Additionally, he has limited experience playing alongside star forward Victor Wembanyama, having appeared with him in just five games so far.
Still, Fox remains the Spurs’ top guard and is only 27, implying several productive prime years ahead. Should he remain with San Antonio throughout the contract, Fox will be 32 by the final year, still within a typical peak playing window. If circumstances change, Fox’s significant trade value could offer the Spurs flexibility in managing the roster down the line.
For a team eager to break back into the postseason, Fox represents a valuable asset, especially given the potential chemistry with Wembanyama. While the duration of Fox’s tenure in San Antonio is uncertain, for now, he figures prominently in the Spurs’ short-term plans to return to competitive prominence.