De'Aaron Fox stays with Spurs after Finals struggles, gets $222M extension

De'Aaron Fox will remain a San Antonio Spur after the franchise exercised its faith in the All-Star guard despite his Finals struggles. On July 17, the Spurs announced Fox’s four-year maximum extension worth approximately $222 million, locking him in through at least 2030.

What happened to De'Aaron Fox in the Finals?

Fox averaged 12.8 points per game in the Spurs’ five-game loss to the New York Knicks. His shooting cratered: 34.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. The defining moment came in Game 4 when Fox drove for a layup with the shot clock off, got stripped, and the Knicks took the lead for good. The Spurs lost the series 4-1.

Why the Spurs kept De'Aaron Fox

General manager Brian Wright publicly backed Fox on June 24. “We have the ultimate faith in De'Aaron and who he is as a player, what he’s been for us and what he means to this team,” Wright said. “And there’s no wavering in that at all.” Team sources told reporters the Spurs still view Fox as critical to their future, despite playoff struggles tied to an ankle sprain.

What’s next for De'Aaron Fox?

Fox must rehab his value next season. The Spurs see Stephon Castle as a starter, and Dylan Harper flashed enough to push for minutes. Fox’s ability to read tempo remains a step ahead of the young guards, but his shooting must improve. The Spurs aren’t trading Fox now given his contract and roster constraints.

How young guards fit with De'Aaron Fox

Castle is locked in as a starter. Harper’s Finals composure and paint finishing wowed scouts, but he’s unlikely to start next season unless Fox agrees to come off the bench. The Spurs closed games with all three guards at times, but a three-guard starting lineup isn’t in the cards unless one becomes a knockdown shooter.