Time to Recalibrate: Why the Spurs Need to Put the Ball Back in De’Aaron Fox’s Hands
When the San Antonio Spurs brought in De’Aaron Fox, it wasn’t just to add another name to the roster-it was to bring in a proven floor general, a dynamic scorer, and a leader who could help elevate a young core headlined by Victor Wembanyama. But lately, Fox has been playing a supporting role while rookie Stephon Castle runs the point. And while the idea behind that experiment made sense at first, it’s becoming increasingly clear: it’s time to hand the keys back to Fox.
Let’s rewind for a second. Early on, Castle looked comfortable as the lead guard.
Playing next to Fox, he had the freedom to make plays, grow into the role, and even flash some real promise as a primary ball-handler. The Spurs were competitive, the offense flowed, and Castle was developing in real time.
But development has a shelf life when it starts to come at the expense of wins and chemistry.
The Offense Isn’t Clicking-and It’s Not Just About Castle
When Fox has run the show without Castle and Wembanyama on the floor, the Spurs have operated like a top-five offense. That’s not hyperbole-that’s production. It’s a small sample, sure, but it’s also a glimpse at what this team could be if Fox were in full control.
Right now, the offense is sputtering. Injuries to Wembanyama and Devin Vassell didn’t help, and Harrison Barnes has gone ice-cold from deep, which has completely thrown off the team’s spacing. With Castle at the helm and shooters struggling to hit, defenses are packing the paint, daring the Spurs to beat them from the outside-and they’re not.
Wembanyama and Vassell are back now, which should help, but Barnes is still searching for his rhythm. Castle, too, has hit a wall. And with the offense in a rut, the Spurs need to ask themselves a tough question: are they prioritizing development over performance for too long?
The Castle-Fox Dynamic: A Role Reversal That’s Not Working
The idea behind giving Castle the ball was simple: Fox is the better shooter, so he can play off-ball more effectively. Meanwhile, Castle needs the ball to stay involved and keep defenders honest.
On paper, it’s a logical strategy. In practice, it’s been hit or miss-and lately, mostly miss.
Yes, there’s a risk that moving Castle off the ball will lead to defenders sagging off him or even putting a center on him to clog the paint. But Castle showed as a rookie that he can be effective without dominating the ball. He’s got the tools to adapt-now it’s time to ask him to do it.
Fox, on the other hand, is quietly putting up 20.2 points and 6.1 assists per game while playing out of position. That’s solid production, but it’s not the Fox we saw in Sacramento, where he routinely dropped 26 and 7 and looked like one of the league’s most dangerous guards. It’s not that he’s playing poorly-it’s that he’s being underutilized.
And when you’re paying him like a franchise cornerstone, that’s a problem.
Unlocking the Fox-Wembanyama Connection
One of the biggest missed opportunities in this whole setup is the lack of chemistry between Fox and Wembanyama. Whether due to injuries or role misalignment, these two have barely scratched the surface of what they can be together.
Put the ball back in Fox’s hands, and suddenly you’ve got a chance to build something special in the pick-and-roll. Wembanyama’s length and athleticism paired with Fox’s speed and decision-making?
That’s a nightmare for opposing defenses. It’s not a stretch to imagine that combo reaching Jamal Murray-Nikola Jokic levels of synergy-if they’re given the chance to build it.
Right now, the Spurs are holding that back.
Castle Has Grown-But It’s Time to Pivot
Let’s be clear: Castle has made real progress. He’s become a confident lob passer, and his vision is improving.
But that doesn’t mean he needs to be the lead guard right now. Development isn’t always linear, and sometimes taking a step back in role can lead to a leap forward in growth.
If Fox can get back to the All-Star level he reached in Sacramento, the Spurs’ offense becomes something else entirely. It becomes dangerous. And that’s what San Antonio needs right now-not just potential, but production.
So yes, the Castle experiment at point guard had its moments. But at this point in the season, with the offense stalling and the team’s best players still figuring out how to play together, it’s time for Coach Mitch Johnson to make the call.
Put the ball back in De’Aaron Fox’s hands. Let Castle grow in a secondary role. And give this team a real shot at unlocking the offensive firepower it clearly has.