3 De'Aaron Fox trades we could see way before the trade deadline gets here

De'Aaron Fox is in the first year of a max contract with the San Antonio Spurs, but a potential trade would allow them to reshape their roster around their young core. The Spurs are now starting Fox alongside Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle but can't afford to pay all three and Victor Wembanyama long-term.

Based on that, they should consider moving Fox this season. That will hopefully be made easier by him having a strong start to the year. With that in mind, here are three Fox trades we could see way before the trade deadline gets here.

The proposed De'Aaron Fox trade would land the Spurs Kevin Durant

Despite being the Spurs' archrivals, the Houston Rockets are the ideal trade partner for Fox. They need an upgrade at point guard and have multiple trade options to acquire Fox.

The most obvious option is a straight swap for Kevin Durant. He isn't the most well-liked star, but he is a prolific scorer. If, for whatever reason, he becomes available, the Spurs should trade Fox for Durant in a heartbeat.

Not only would he give them a certified bucket getter who'd draw attention away from Victor Wembanyama, but he'd also give them financial flexibility. He can become a free agent after this season while Fox is just starting a five-year max contract. That alone might be worth swapping Fox for Durant.

A mock De'Aaron Fox swap would send him to the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans may be a unique landing spot for Fox, and they have been toying with the idea of trading Trey Murphy III. Therefore, a potential deal could send him to San Antonio, along with former Spurs all-star Dejounte Murray. In exchange, the Pelicans may receive Fox and potentially two first-round picks and two second-rounders.

Spurs fans would be loath to trade first-round picks, but if they could land Murphy III, an experienced backup in Murray, and get off of Fox's max contract, that seems like a smart move.

San Antonio would get an athletic 20-point-per-game wing scorer and capable defender, free Harper and Castle to start in the backcourt, and get an experienced backup to create off the bench. It would cost them Fox and multiple picks, but the end result might be worth it.

A potential De'Aaron Fox trade would send Darius Garland to the Spurs

After being hammered by the NBA due to salary cap convention, the Los Angeles Clippers will have to get creative with how they rebuild. That could start with them trading star Darius Garland for Fox and receiving two first-round picks for their trouble.

Garland is coming off a down year after he struggled to stay healthy. If the Clippers are willing to move on from him in exchange for picks, then they may be willing to take back Fox even though he is on a longer-term deal.

Garland has just two years remaining on his contract, and the Spurs could trade Fox and two first-round picks for him for flexibility. In that scenario, Garland could potentially rehab his value on the Spurs and could later be retraded, making it an intriguing option.

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