Spurs Honor Commitment to De'Aaron Fox with $229 Million Decision

Spurs Commit to Fox

Adding Harper certainly changed the Spurs' course, especially if the Rutgers product turns into the talent his draft position suggests he can be. Early on, San Antonio is confident in that outcome.

"The expectations shouldn't be high," said Spurs Summer League coach Mike Noyes, who serves as the team's director of player development. "He's right where he needs to be."

Harper's development will take a few seasons, whereas Fox is now entering his prime with both an All-NBA selection and an NBA All-Star nod to his name. At 27, he's set to be the second face of the Spurs' push for Western Conference contention.

Fox and Wembanyama have lofty goals.

“We want be the best pick-and-roll combo in the league," Fox said at the end of the regular season. "We('re) two guys who are extremely dynamic, can pick and choose our spots whenever we want."

Comparing Wembanyama's size to his own speed, Fox makes a good point. While San Antonio continues to load up defensively, it's improving in the shadows offensively. Some of that improvement stems from yearly development, but most is driven by chemistry.

"Having this summer to be able to work together is definitely good," Fox said. "If (we're) able to really put together that type of combination ... it’s going to be a hard thing to stop."

The Spurs didn't know they were going to stumble into Harper when they traded for Fox, but extending him on the highest contract available proved they're keen on honoring commitments.

And they know what they're in for.

“We have a hold on the direction and want to build upon something,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after taking over for Gregg Popovich in May. “This is not a reboot or restart. It’s a new chapter ... but the theme of the book isn’t changing.”