Before last season’s trade deadline, there was plenty of chatter about the Spurs potentially making a splash at point guard. And while De’Aaron Fox ultimately landed in San Antonio, he wasn’t the only name being floated.
Trae Young’s situation in Atlanta had grown murky, and the Spurs were reportedly high on his list of preferred destinations. But instead of pulling the trigger on a deal for Young, San Antonio went with Fox - and looking back, that choice is aging like fine wine.
Let’s rewind for a second. Imagine the frustration Spurs fans felt waiting for Fox to make his debut at the start of the season.
Now imagine that same wait - but for Trae Young, who got hurt just five games into the year and missed the next 22. The Spurs managed to tread water without Fox early on, but when he returned, he brought stability.
That’s not what happened in Atlanta when Young came back. The Hawks hoped their star guard would get them back on track.
He didn’t.
There’s no denying Young’s offensive talent. He’s a gifted passer with elite vision, and when he’s dialed in, he can orchestrate an offense as well as just about anyone.
But that hasn’t been enough this season. His production hasn’t matched his paycheck, and his struggles have reignited whispers that the Hawks might be ready to move on from their franchise point guard.
Meanwhile, Fox has proven to be exactly what the Spurs needed.
Start with the physical profile. Fox is a few inches taller and about 20 pounds heavier than Young.
That might not sound like much, but in today’s NBA - especially in the Western Conference - size matters. You’re going up against the likes of Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards.
These are big, physical guards who will hunt mismatches. A smaller guard like Young becomes a target.
Fox? Not so much.
Now, let’s be clear: Fox isn’t locking down All-Stars on a nightly basis. But he holds his own. He’s a solid defender who doesn’t get picked on, and that’s more than you can say for Young, who often struggles to stay in front of his man and can’t hide on that end of the floor.
Offensively, Young still holds the edge as a pure passer. He’s got that innate feel for the game that you can’t teach.
But the gap starts to close when you factor in his shooting. His three-point percentage has dipped to 30% this season - a concerning number for a guard who built his brand on deep range.
If the threes aren’t falling and the defense isn’t there, you’re left with a one-dimensional player who’s tough to build around.
Fox, on the other hand, doesn’t just fit the Spurs’ system - he elevates it. He brings pace, control, and a level of physicality that fits the modern game. He’s not just a scorer or a passer - he’s a two-way presence who can adapt to what the team needs on any given night.
So credit to Brian Wright and the Spurs’ front office. The Fox deal didn’t just work out - it was the right move all along. And sometimes, the trades you don’t make are just as important as the ones you do.