The San Antonio Spurs can ink De’Aaron Fox to a four-year contract extension this summer, but one expert has urged them not to offer him a maximum deal.
Last season, the San Antonio Spurs seemingly finally built their long-term core. Victor Wembanyama, “The Alien,” is the centerpiece. Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle is expected to blossom into a do-all guard on both ends of the floor, and wings Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Harrison Barnes can space the floor.
On top of that, the Spurs traded for All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox, who made it clear that he wanted to play next to Wembanyama.
This summer, the Spurs can sign Fox to a four-year, $229 million contract extension, although they have been urged against offering him the full sum.
Photo by G Fiume/Getty ImagesSpurs can keep Fox in San Antonio long-term
Last season, Castle found success playing next to both Fox and Chris Paul as an off-ball shooting guard. Despite being drafted as a point guard, he can play either backcourt spot, so the fit next to Fox should work.
Fox is only 27 years old, so signing him for an additional four years doesn’t pose much risk to the Spurs, although there is reason for San Antonio to be skeptical about throwing massive sums of money his way.
For starters, the Spurs will eventually have to commit to Wembanyama, Castle, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Carter, and Dylan Harper, who are all on their rookie contracts. On top of that, there is a case to be made that he is slightly overrated.
After all, the Sacramento Kings made only one playoff appearance during his seven-season tenure. While a lot of that is organizational failure, his individual shortcomings have given some experts pause about the Spurs signing him to a max deal.
Victor is eligible for an extension next year,” outlined ESPN’s Bobby Marks. “What does that mean from the Spurs’ perspective? You would have a little bit of cap space in the summer of 2026 before Victor’s number kicks in. De’Aaron Fox is a really good player. Is he a top 25 player? I don’t think so. Is he a max player? That’s for the Spurs to determine.”
Unlike other teams in the league, the Spurs have money to spend, although eventually their young core will get expensive, and they might be smart to save money for when that happens.
“If he were in Denver, would he be a max player based on their finances? No,” Marks compared. “I think you have to be careful when delivering contracts of $51, $52 million to really good players who are top-starter level and who are not All-Stars. And that’s how I stand. I’m not going to crush San Antonio if they don’t give De’Aaron Fox a max contract. But I think everything is circumstantial.”
Is Fox a really good player? Yes, demonstrated by his 25.1 points per game and six assists over the last three seasons. However, is he a max player? Probably not.
Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle could make Fox expendable
Marks did not even mention that the Spurs have two very promising point guards waiting. Castle can play shooting guard, although he made it clear before the draft that he believes he thrives as a primary facilitator.
That’s not to mention in the 2025 draft the Spurs scooped up Harper second overall, who was easily the best point guard prospect in the draft. Of course, there is no guarantee that either Castle or Harper will ever be an All-Star like Fox has been, although the Spurs clearly believe in their growth.
Regardless of how much money the Spurs throw Fox’s way this summer, there is a chance that his next contract will be the only one he signs in San Antonio.
Between balancing the books and the young talent on the way, the Spurs have no shortage of options, and Fox might be required to take a pay cut if he wants to be a long-term teammate of Wembanyama’s.