After making waves by trading for De’Aaron Fox last season, the San Antonio Spurs appeared all-in on building a contender around 2024 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. But a flurry of young talent, including recent No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper, may soon shift that narrative.
The Spurs pulled off a blockbuster 3-team deal involving the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings to land Fox, a 2023 All-Star and Clutch Player of the Year, signalling to Wemby that the franchise was ready to chase championships. However, the team’s loaded backcourt is creating more questions than answers.
The selection of Harper, a 6’6″ playmaking guard out of Rutgers with strong comparisons to Manu Ginobili, joins a guard rotation already featuring Fox and 2025 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Now, speculation is growing that Fox may not be part of the Spurs’ long-term vision, especially if Harper’s development continues on its current trajectory.
“If the 3-point shot ever becomes a true weapon (for Harper), he makes Fox expendable,” an anonymous Western Conference scout told ESPN’s Jeremy Woo.
Fox, known for his elite speed, crafty finishing, and two-way impact, has always faced criticism for one specific flaw: inconsistent three-point shooting. That weakness was amplified during his 17-game stint with the Spurs, where he averaged 19.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals, but shot a dismal 27.4% from deep on 5.6 attempts per game.
With Wembanyama thriving as a stretch-five and Castle already looking like a future star, spacing becomes even more critical. If Harper can evolve into a consistent perimeter threat, it could accelerate a shift toward a younger, more complementary backcourt, and Fox might become a high-value trade chip.
At just 27, Fox still has prime years ahead and would draw significant interest across the league. His playoff experience, explosive athleticism, and ability to take over games in crunch time make him an ideal candidate for teams one piece away from contention.
That said, the Spurs aren’t expected to make any rash decisions. Fox’s leadership, proven production, and playoff-calibre mentality are rare for such a young squad. The 2025–26 season will likely serve as a proving ground to test how Fox, Castle, and Harper can coexist in a crowded rotation.
Still, the writing could be on the wall: if Harper hits from deep and the trio fails to mesh, San Antonio might pivot, using Fox’s value to reinforce other areas of the roster, without compromising the timeline for their generational centrepiece, Wembanyama.