De’Aaron Fox Is Thriving in San Antonio - And It’s No Accident
De’Aaron Fox didn’t just land in a better situation - he found the perfect fit. A max contract, a spot on a top-tier Western Conference contender, an All-Star nod, and yes, unlimited access to breakfast tacos. But beyond the perks, what’s happening in San Antonio is a story of a player finally getting the structure and support his talent has always deserved.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Fox gave Sacramento eight seasons of everything he had.
He was the face of a franchise that, for most of his tenure, struggled to find its footing. And while he did everything in his power to lift the Kings - from developing into one of the league’s most dynamic guards to becoming a leader on and off the floor - winning in the NBA takes more than just a star player.
It takes alignment from top to bottom.
That’s where San Antonio comes in. The Spurs have long been known for their organizational stability, and Fox is reaping the benefits.
The front office is cohesive. The coaching staff is prepared.
The culture is consistent. And when all of that is in place, a player like Fox can just focus on what he does best: hoop.
And he’s doing just that.
When Victor Wembanyama missed a significant chunk of time earlier this season - from mid-November through early December - Fox didn’t just hold the line, he raised the bar. Over that stretch, he averaged 25.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting an efficient 48.1% from the field, 40.5% from deep, and 83.5% at the line. That’s elite-level production under pressure, and it helped keep the Spurs on track during a potentially season-defining stretch.
Make no mistake: if Fox hadn’t stepped up during that window, the Spurs’ season might look very different right now.
But it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the way Fox has seamlessly blended into the Spurs’ identity.
He’s not putting up gaudy scoring totals every night - he doesn’t have to. He’s averaging 19 points per game this season, not because he’s taken a step back, but because San Antonio’s system doesn’t demand hero ball.
It demands balance, trust, and execution. And Fox is delivering all of it.
That’s what makes this such a natural fit. The Spurs needed a floor general who could lead with poise, push the tempo, and step up when the moment calls for it.
Fox needed a franchise that knew how to build around talent and stay the course. It’s a marriage of need and identity - and it’s working.
And let’s not forget what this organization has weathered this season. The sudden absence of Gregg Popovich due to a health scare could’ve derailed everything.
But the transition to Mitch Johnson was handled with grace and professionalism, a testament to the culture Pop built and the people he put in place. The Spurs didn’t flinch.
They stayed locked in. That kind of resilience isn’t easy to find - and it’s exactly the kind of environment a player like Fox deserves.
Contrast that with his time in Sacramento, where he played under four head coaches and was reportedly headed for a fifth. That kind of turnover makes it nearly impossible to build continuity, let alone a winning culture.
Even Mike Brown, who helped guide the Kings to a long-awaited playoff appearance, was let go - reportedly against Fox’s wishes. It’s no wonder his agent, Rich Paul, had to help him see the bigger picture when the opportunity in San Antonio came calling.
Leaving a city where you’ve built roots is never easy. Fox had become a pillar of the Sacramento community.
But in hindsight, this move was clearly the right one. He’s now part of a winning organization that values stability, structure, and selflessness - all traits that align with who Fox is as a player and a person.
So here he is: paid, productive, and part of a team with real championship aspirations. He’s not shouldering the entire offensive load, he’s playing winning basketball, and he’s doing it all in a place that knows how to win the right way.
Oh, and yes - the breakfast tacos are a nice bonus.