De’Aaron Fox is proving, once again, that he’s not just a good fit in San Antonio - he’s a foundational piece. Fresh off being named to the NBA Cup 2025 All-Tournament Team, Fox has silenced any lingering doubts about the Spurs' decision to lock him in with a four-year extension. If there were skeptics still questioning that move, they’re running out of ground to stand on.
Fox’s numbers from the tournament speak volumes: 22 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals per game across six contests. But as always with Fox, the box score only tells part of the story.
His leadership, poise, and ability to control the game’s tempo were crucial in guiding the Spurs to the championship stage. They didn’t come away with the trophy, but make no mistake - Fox was the engine that got them there.
And while the Knicks deserve their flowers for taking the title, it’s hard to ignore the circumstances San Antonio faced along the way. The Spurs battled through adversity, and Fox was the steadying force through it all. His performance didn’t just earn him All-Tournament honors; it reaffirmed his value to a team that’s building something special.
Let’s talk about that value for a second - especially in the context of the trade chatter that’s surrounded Fox since the emergence of young stars like Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. There was a moment when some questioned whether Fox was expendable. Maybe the thinking was that with two gifted young guards on the rise, the Spurs could afford to move on from the veteran.
But that line of thinking was always shortsighted.
Harper and Castle are exciting - no question. They’re electric with the ball, fearless in big moments, and bring a youthful energy that’s infectious.
But they’re also still learning the ropes of NBA life. And when you’re trying to build a contender, you need someone who’s already walked that path.
That’s where Fox comes in.
He’s the experienced hand who can settle things down when the game speeds up. He’s the guy who can create offense when the young guns hit a wall. And when injuries hit - as they inevitably do - Fox is the one who can keep the ship steady.
There’s no need to pit these players against each other. This isn’t a zero-sum game.
Fox, Harper, and Castle aren’t overlapping pieces fighting for space - they’re complementary weapons in a backcourt that’s only going to get more dangerous. The Spurs didn’t create a logjam; they built a rotation with depth, versatility, and balance.
And Fox is at the heart of it.
He’s not just a scorer or a facilitator - he’s a tone-setter. His defense has been sharp, his decision-making precise, and his leadership undeniable.
When Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper were sidelined or struggling, Fox stepped up. That’s what veterans do.
That’s what leaders do.
The Spurs have been patient with their rebuild, and now that patience is starting to pay off. They’ve got a generational talent in Wemby, a pair of rising stars in Castle and Harper, and a proven floor general in Fox who knows how to win - and how to bring others along with him.
So if you were one of the folks calling for a Fox trade? You might want to reconsider.
Because what we’re seeing now is a team that’s not just built for the future - it’s starting to look pretty dangerous in the present, too. And De’Aaron Fox is a huge reason why.