Negotiations Delayed On De'Aaron Fox's Potential 4-year, $229 Million Contract Extension

San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox is in line for some big things with the franchise in the upcoming season. As a key element of the Spurs' young core, Fox hopes to remain in the franchise's long-term plans by signing an extension this year.

Fox recently became eligible for a massive contract extension with the Spurs. With the potential to land a four-year, $229 million deal, the 27-year-old will look to cement his position with the team soon.

While this would certainly be favorable for the guard, an update by an NBA insider suggested that the Spurs may not begin contract negotiations for a while. 

Fox's acquisition last season presented an interesting outlook for San Antonio's future. With the star pairing of De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs presented one of the most talented young duos in the NBA.

Unfortunately, the time the two could have spent on the floor together was limited by injuries, as Wembanyama was sidelined due to his blood clot. 

Fox's performance in San Antonio displayed a lot of promise, as he averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in his 17 appearances with the team. But this was cut short after the guard sustained a season-ending finger injury that required surgery.

While this could be viewed as a point of concern for the Spurs franchise, additional events may also be cited as a reason for the delays in negotiations.

The Spurs guard was expected to be a part of the 2025 Curry Brand World Tour in Asia with Stephen Curry to showcase the new Curry 2s, but he pulled out of it. The tour host stated that Fox sustained a muscle strain and was taking precautionary measures. While there have been no specific updates about the location of the strain, it is expected to be relatively mild.

This may not significantly impact his performances next season, but it is concerning. Given their investment in Fox, the Spurs will hope to see their core at full strength going forward.

Another reason for the delay in negotiations may be the current trade rumors surrounding Fox. 

The Spurs possess several talented young players. Their recent draft picks, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, demand particular attention in light of their performances at the Las Vegas Summer League.

The primary cause of these rumors has been Harper's potential to be the primary point guard option, effectively rendering Fox expendable. When considering the depth of the Spurs' backcourt rotation, should Harper fulfill his potential and meet expectations, there is certainly a case to be made for him to replace Fox.

In some ways, this would also be counterproductive, especially considering what the 27-year-old guard brings to the table. But this just seems to be speculation. With some time left in the offseason, and a lot more before next summer, the Spurs are likely to weigh their options and evaluate the situation carefully.