Are the Spurs in position to target De’Aaron Fox?

Are the Spurs in position to target De’Aaron Fox?

We know that Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox rejected a three-year, $165 million extension offer from the team during the offseason, setting himself up for an even bigger payday in the summer of 2026, when he could be eligible to sign a five-year supermax extension worth nearly $350 million if he makes an All-NBA team.

Though he recently revealed one fascinating caveat as to why he declined his extension–he wanted to assure himself that the team was heading in the right direction. So often, we see players take the money and then figure it out later. They either ask for a trade upon being eligible to be traded (6-12 months later), or wait it out a couple more years toward the middle (or end) of their respective contract to request a trade.

That’s not the case with Fox, for the time being.

Sam Amick and Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported last week that Fox and Klutch Sports, his agency, met with the Kings brass; according to Amick and Slater, it was “focused on an existential question that needs to be answered if this partnership that began eight seasons ago between Fox and the Kings is going to continue long term.”

Though according to the rival executives, one Western Conference could emerge from the clouds, should he be on the trade market.

“Rival executives are monitoring the Fox situation closely and league sources say one team in particular — the San Antonio Spurs — is positioning itself to pursue the Houston native as a possible partner for Victor Wembanyama, should Fox become available,” the report read. “Barring a significant Kings turnaround, others are surely close behind.

“This reality, unwelcome though it might be, sits under the surface of an increasingly urgent moment for a win-now operation that hasn’t won enough to feel comfortable of late.”

The Spurs are currently 2.5 games above the Kings, the No. 12 seed in the West standings. Most of San Antonio’s season has come with assistant Mitch Johnson manning the sidelines amid Gregg Popovich’s health, as San Antonio sits No. 22 in adjusted NET Rating with the 19th-best offense and defense. Sacramento has fared much better with a much tougher schedule, but nothing else to show for it.

If the Spurs do decide to buy, they have a treasure trove of first-round pick swaps–including Sacramento’s 2031 first-round swap, which could be very valuable if Fox isn’t there–plus some quality young players in Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan, among others. One could guess that No. 4 pick Stephon Castle would be labeled “untouchable.” But if you’re looking to build around a franchise cornerstone in Victor Wembanyama and Fox becomes available, the bidding war will be ferocious and the price tag will be a haul. So anything may be on the table if he’s their golden goose.

Who knows? In the end, the Spurs may want to build their foundation a little bit more, examine who are the blue-chippers and red-chippers and go from there. With or without Fox, this current San Antonio team isn’t in a position to contend. However, at some point, cashing out for Wembanyama while he’s still on his rookie contract should be a priority.

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