NBA Scout Thinks Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper Could Make De’Aaron Fox ‘Expendable’

One NBA scout thinks San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper could make De’Aaron Fox “expendable.”

The Spurs drafted Harper with the second overall pick in this year’s NBA draft.

Fox was traded by the Sacramento Kings to San Antonio last season. 

“[Harper] has some [Manu] Ginobili to his offensive game,” one Western Conference scout told NBA reporter Jeremy Woo of ESPN. “If the 3-point shot ever becomes a true weapon [for him], he makes Fox expendable and gives San Antonio a nice trade asset.”

The Spurs can sign De’Aaron Fox to a four-year, $229 million extension starting on August 3. Fox appeared in 17 games with San Antonio before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage in his left pinkie. He averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. 

Fox played in 62 games with the Kings and Spurs last season. He averaged 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field, 31.0% from beyond the arc and 82.7% from the free-throw line. 

A one-time All-Star, Fox will make $37.1 million next season in the final year of his contract. The 27-year-old has career averages of 21.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists with the Kings and Spurs. 

Dylan Harper played in two Summer League games for the Spurs. He averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 35.7% from the field, 12.5% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the foul line. 

The Spurs haven’t made the playoffs since 2019, but they have a bright future with Harper, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama leading the way. 

It will be fascinating to see if Fox remains with San Antonio or gets traded again. 

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