De'Aaron Fox Shot 29.4% From Deep, But the Spurs Aren't Even Thinking About Letting Him Go

You saw it, I saw it, everyone saw it. De'Aaron Fox basically went missing in the NBA Finals, right? He was flat out terrible against the Knicks, save for a glimmer in Game 2 and that wild, biggest shot of his life to close Game 3. And if you thought the Finals were bad, he wasn't much better in the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder either. His postseason shooting splits, 41.4% from the field and a painful 29.4% from three, were an absolute eyesore. But here’s the kicker nobody is really talking about: the Spurs are in such a wild financial position, they can actually afford to keep this guy around, big contract and all. It’s an insane situation, but it's the truth!

The Finals Flop That Has Everyone Talking

Let's just be honest, it was tough to watch Fox out there. The numbers don't lie. That 29.4% from deep, man, that's an eyesore. It felt like he struggled to create his usual rim pressure, probably because of that bum ankle. The "what have you done for me lately?" crowd is ready to ship him out right now, and you can't blame them based on those Finals performances. But hey, let's not forget the dude was an All-Star! And even with all the struggles, he still put up at least 17 points in nine of San Antonio's first 11 playoff games. His pick-and-roll offense, even when his shot wasn't falling, was arguably their most reliable half-court weapon. So while the ending was rough, there's a reason he was there in the first place.

A $49.8 Million Luxury That Makes Perfect Sense

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Dylan Harper is coming. The No. 2 pick from last year's draft is

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primed to be San Antonio's starting point guard next season, and everyone expects him to be an All-Star and an All-NBA player before his second contract. He's supposed to be the Kobe to Victor Wembanyama's Shaq for the next decade. So why keep Fox, who's about to start a four-year, $229 million deal with a $49.8 million salary next season? Because the Spurs are playing chess, not checkers! Fox was a necessity when they traded for him at the 2025 deadline, brought in to give Wembanyama an immediate co-star and speed up their competitive timeline. Now, he's a luxury. But get this, Wembanyama, Harper, and Stephon Castle, their three best young players, will make less than $40 million combined next season on their rookie deals. Fox is currently the *only* player on their roster set to make more than $27 million next year. The Spurs are sitting $44 million below the luxury tax line and well beneath both aprons, even with guys like Julian Champagnie and possibly free agent Harrison Barnes to take care of. Wembanyama's huge $251 million extension doesn't even hit until 2027-28, and even then, Castle and Harper will still be on their rookie deals. Harper's second contract isn't until 2029-30! That means Fox's max money would only overlap with Harper's for one season, three years from now. That’s a lifetime in the NBA, folks. So yeah, the trade chatter is gonna be relentless. But when you look at the books, Fox isn't just sticking around, he's a vital piece for a team in full title-or-bust mode right now. It's a crazy situation, but it's shaping up to be one of the most interesting off-seasons in the league. Can Fox get that ankle healthy and find his Finals form again? We gotta watch this one closely, folks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.