De’Aaron Fox expresses desire to sign extension with Spurs

Despite playing just 17 games with the Spurs following a mid-season three-team trade, De’Aaron Fox is already thinking long-term, according to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle.

Starting August 3, Fox will be eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $229M, and according to Lerner, he is looking forward to inking that future-facing guarantee. When asked if he was optimistic about reaching terms with the Spurs, he said, “I would definitely hope so.”

Fox currently has one year and $37M left on his contract and looks to be an integral part of the Spurs’ outlook as they continue to search the market for potential stars to add to the core anchored by Victor Wembanyama. Armed with the second and 14th picks in the 2025 draft, as well as several young veterans like Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan on deals that could be valuable on their own or as salary matching in larger trades, the team has a wide range of options they can consider this summer.

There are concerns with how Fox, reigning rookie of the year Stephon Castle, and projected number two pick Dylan Harper will coexist as three guards with shaky jump shots and, in the case of Fox and Harper particularly, a skillset best suited to having the ball in their hands, but it’s unlikely that Fox would be the odd man out, considering the recency with which he was acquired.

In his 17 games for San Antonio last season, Fox averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 27.4% from three. While the scoring and shooting numbers would rank as some of the lowest of his career, he was both adjusting to just the second NBA team of his career and also dealing with tendon damage in the pinkie of his shooting hand, an injury that eventually sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

“I’m doing well. The surgery went fine,” Fox said when asked about the injury. “I’ve been cleared so I played a little five-on-five and I’ve done contact stuff, so I’ll be ready for next year.”