De'Aaron Fox Shot 29.4% From Deep in the Finals and the Spurs Are Still Paying Him $49.8 Million for It

Man, talk about a gut punch. We all saw it: De'Aaron Fox, the guy they brought in to ignite Victor Wembanyama and push San Antonio into contention, was flat-out *bad* in the NBA Finals. Against the Knicks, it was rough. Save for one solid Game 2 and that clutch Game 3 winner, his Finals performance was pure nightmare fuel, and not much better against the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Those playoff splits? A dismal 41.4% from the field and a shocking 29.4% from deep. What now? Despite that meltdown, the Spurs are holding onto him, big contract and all. This is where it gets wild.

The Playoff Rollercoaster

Fox's postseason numbers were an eyesore, no doubt. His shooting splits tell a story of a guy who couldn't find his rhythm when it truly mattered. He struggled to attack the rim with a "bum ankle," taking away a key part of his game. The "what have you done for me lately?" crowd wants him traded, and honestly, who can blame them? But let's remember, he was an All-Star who dropped at least 17 points in nine of San Antonio's first eleven playoff games. Even when his shot deserted him, his pick-and-roll offense was still arguably their most reliable half-court weapon. It's a frustratingly mixed bag.

The Future Arrives, Fox Shifts Roles

Now, the elephant in the room: Dylan Harper is coming. The No. 2 pick from last year's draft is legit, and everyone expects him to be San Antonio's starting point guard next season. Hard to argue against it. This kid could easily be an All-Star next year and an All-NBA talent before his second contra

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ct hits. The talk is he's primed to be the Kobe to Wembanyama's Shaq for the next decade-plus. So, where does that leave Fox? Brought in at the 2025 deadline as a necessity to accelerate their timeline, with Harper stepping up, Fox has essentially transitioned into a luxury. A very pricey one.

The Money, The Plan

A luxury after a Finals flop is usually unaffordable, but San Antonio's situation is unique. Wembanyama, Harper, and Stephon Castle are all on rookie contracts, making less than $40 million combined next season. This makes Fox's $49.8 million salary for next season, the first year of his massive four-year, $229 million deal, surprisingly palatable. He's the only roster player making over $27 million next year! They need to secure Julian Champagnie's $3 million team option and potentially free agent Harrison Barnes. Still, they're $44 million below the luxury tax line, well beneath both aprons. Even when Wembanyama's five-year, $251 million extension hits in 2027-28, Castle and Harper remain on rookie deals. Fox's deal only overlaps Harper's max money for one season, three years away. That's an eternity in the NBA, meaning the Spurs can roll with Fox in "full title-or-bust mode" for now. He can still be a major part. So, yeah, Fox had a rough Finals. No doubt. But San Antonio's cap sheet numbers don't lie, and they're betting his overall talent and pick-and-roll game are worth keeping as they push for a championship. Keeping a $49.8 million luxury after a big series disappointment is a bold move. But with Harper ready to explode and Wemby still on a rookie deal, the Spurs are clearly trying to stack the deck. Will it pay off? Every possession will count.

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