When Can the Spurs Trade for De'Aaron Fox?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 4:35 PM ET

As the San Antonio Spurs build around Victor Wembanyama, adding a point guard with a scoring punch continues to be a priority. Both Chris Paul and rookie Stephon Castle are playing better than expected and both can run the offense, although neither presents as a volume scorer.

At 17-16, the Spurs are very much in the playoff hunt. They have been linked to multiple high-level point guards on the trade market, but De'Aaron Fox seems to be the ideal target, should he demand a trade from the Sacramento Kings.

However, with their season going well so far while developing their young talent, the Spurs are in no rush to make a move.

Paul, "The Point God," is 39 years old and will be a free agent after this season. He is averaging 8.3 assists this season and has been the ideal running mate for Wembanyama, but he is not long for San Antonio.

Luckily, a recent update points to the Spurs having the perfect timeline laid out for them.

"While league sources say Fox has not asked for a trade, that hasn’t stopped interested teams from planning for a possible run at the 27-year-old former All-Star," wrote The Athletic's Sam Amick. "Among interested teams, there is a strong belief that Fox is more likely to be available this summer rather than before the Feb. 6 trade deadline."

Instead of swinging a trade before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the Kings are expected to hold onto Fox and only make him available once Paul leaves San Antonio.

The Spurs aren't the only team interested, with Amick listing the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers as possible suitors, as well. However, the Spurs can match basically any offer the Heat or Lakers make, and win the Fox sweepstakes.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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