The San Antonio Spurs already have plenty of talent in place, but De’Aaron Fox might be just as important for what he can do for Dylan Harper as for what he brings himself.
There were some rumblings after the Spurs’ NBA Finals loss that Fox should be part of the conversation because he struggled on the league’s biggest stage. That’s the wrong read. Fox is too good to give up on, and he gives San Antonio something even more valuable: a live example for Harper to study as he keeps growing into his own game.
Harper was one of the bright spots for the Spurs in last year’s playoffs. The rookie guard made an impact, delivered in clutch moments, and looked like a player who belongs. But like any first-year player, he still has plenty of work ahead of him if he wants to become the kind of guard his talent suggests he can be.
The next step is playmaking.
Harper is already a solid passer, but that area of his game has room to jump. He has the ability to create advantages, and if he sharpens that skill, he can take a major leap. That’s where Fox fits so naturally.
Fox is one of the better playmakers in the league and was one of the Spurs’ main offensive creators last year. In fact, he may be the best passer on the roster right now. That matters, because Harper can learn a lot from watching how Fox operates.
The playoffs made that point pretty clear. When Fox was sidelined, the offense felt the absence.
Once he was back, his passing helped unlock things again. Stephon Castle tried to shoulder a lot of the playmaking load, but he ran into turnover issues.
Fox, meanwhile, gave San Antonio the steady hand it needed.
That’s exactly the kind of influence Harper can benefit from. Fox can show him how to run an NBA offense without giving possessions away. He can show him how to turn an advantage into a clean look instead of a wasted trip.
With Victor Wembanyama at the center of the Spurs’ young core, Castle right behind him, and Harper still ascending, San Antonio has a group with serious upside. And Fox is the right veteran guard to help Harper take that next step as a playmaker.
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