When the San Antonio Spurs entered the 2024–25 season, the biggest question looming over the franchise was simple: Who would be Victor Wembanyama’s co-star? Would the answer come from within? The draft? Free agency?
As it turned out, the answer came via a blockbuster trade.
Despite months of speculation, few Spurs fans expected San Antonio to actually land De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings. Yet, when the deal was finalized in early February, the Spurs pulled off one of the biggest trades in franchise history—and they did it without sacrificing a core player.
In exchange for Fox, San Antonio only gave up Tre Jones, Zach Collins, Sidy Cissoko, and a handful of draft assets, including just one of their own picks. Landing a dynamic All-Star-caliber guard at that price was an absolute steal. And though injuries cut his first season in San Antonio short, Fox’s brief stint showed why the Spurs finally look ready to move past the rebuild.
De’Aaron Fox’s 2024–25 Season at a Glance
Season Stats (62 games total):
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23.5 points, 6.3 assists
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46.3% FG, 31.0% 3PT
Spurs Stats (17 games):
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19.7 points, 6.8 assists
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44.3% FG, 27.4% 3PT
Contract Status: 1 year, $34.8 million remaining (extension eligible)
Age: 27
A Promising Yet Limited First Run in San Antonio
Fox arrived in early February, just as the Spurs were slogging through a brutal stretch of games. His debut came at the start of the Rodeo Road Trip, and he wasted no time making an impact, dishing out 13 assists in his first game while leading the team to a win over Atlanta.
But just as the Fox-Wembanyama duo started to build chemistry, bad luck struck. After only five games together, Wembanyama was ruled out for the season with deep vein thrombosis, cutting short valuable development time.
Despite Wemby’s absence, Fox continued to produce, putting up solid numbers and keeping the team competitive. His best performance came on March 12 against the Mavericks, when he nearly posted a triple-double with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists.
However, with the play-in tournament slipping out of reach, the Spurs made the smart long-term call, shutting Fox down to repair a torn thumb tendon—an injury he had been battling since training camp.
Looking Ahead: Fox’s Future with the Spurs
Although we didn’t get a full season of Fox in San Antonio, his skill set is exactly what the Spurs have needed:
✔️ A go-to scorer who can take pressure off Wemby
✔️ A primary shot-creator who elevates teammates
✔️ A proven closer (former NBA Clutch Player of the Year)
✔️ A defensive upgrade at guard
His shooting dip in San Antonio (27.4% from three) was likely due to a mix of injuries and lack of chemistry with his new teammates. Now that he’s fully healthy and has an entire offseason to train with Wemby, expect those numbers to bounce back.
The Spurs are also in prime position to add another key piece, with a likely top-10 draft pick incoming.
Will Fox Sign an Extension? All Signs Point to Yes
Fox has one year left on his contract but is eligible for an extension this summer.
Last year, he turned down a 3-year, $165 million deal from the Kings, but the Spurs can offer him up to 4 years, $229 million. While that’s a big number, both sides seem motivated to get a deal done.
Fox has long admired the Spurs organization, and with winning as his top priority, he may be willing to negotiate a team-friendly extension. The Spurs wouldn’t have made this trade if they weren’t confident in keeping him long-term.
Final Verdict: Fox is the Key to Taking the Next Step
The Spurs didn’t get as much Fox-Wemby action as they hoped this season, but the blueprint for success is there. If Fox stays healthy and continues developing chemistry with Wembanyama, San Antonio could be a serious playoff contender as soon as next season.
With Fox and Wemby leading the way, and another top prospect on the way in the draft, the rebuilding days in San Antonio are officially over.
Final Grade: Incomplete (A- for entire season)
Top Performance of the Season
March 12 vs. Dallas Mavericks
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32 points
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9 rebounds
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11 assists
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12-25 shooting
Up Next in Player Reviews: Julian Champagnie
Previous Reviews:
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Bismack Biyombo
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Charles Bassey
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Malaki Branham
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Blake Wesley
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Sandro Mamukelashvili