De'Aaron Fox is making a splash and etching his name among Spurs legends

De'Aaron Fox has made a significant impact with the Spurs in the first week and a half. While the team is currently 2-3 since Fox joined the squad, his enormous effect on the team's performance is undeniable.

The former Kentucky Wildcat has elevated the offense with his exceptional playmaking abilities. He is relentless in attacking the rim, making him one of the most efficient guards at scoring from within 10 feet. In fact, Fox is in the top five in the league in points per game from in close.

Fox's speed has explicitly opened up the Spurs offensive playbook, and during Monday night's game against the Washington Wizards, he left his mark in more ways than one. Victor Wembanyama shared an interesting story about his new best friend in the postgame interview following a 131-121 Spurs victory.

"Some player from Washington was asked to pick up him up full court...De'Aaron caused a foul... I overheard him say, 'He asked me to pick him up full court, but doesn't he know him?'" Wembanyama recounted with a grin. Many people around the NBA are familiar with Fox's style of play, but the Spurs' version of Swipa could be the scariest Fox the league has seen.

De'Aaron Fox stamping his name in Spurs record books early on

In his seven NBA seasons, Fox has always been an offensive juggernaut, averaging 21.5 points per game. Many wondered if Fox's scoring output would decline playing alongside Wemby, who attempts over 20 shots a game. That has not been the case, as Fox has found a way to put the ball in the basket, just as he did in Sacramento with the Kings.

In his first four games as a Spur, Swipa scored 24, 22, 9, and 30 points, respectively, while shooting over 50% in three. His achievement of scoring 20+ points in three of his first four games with the Spurs puts him alongside some franchise greats.

It is well-known what Robinson meant to the Spurs, and Cummings and DeRozan played significant roles in their Spurs days in their own right. Fox could have a similar stint of success in San Antonio as the other three when it is all said and done.

The Spurs have been experiencing some growing pains in the first part of 2025, going 8-12 in the first 20 games in 2025. Too many ill-advised miscues, major second-half collapses, and the inability to get stops have made it any easier.

As Fox spends more time with the team, we should see improvements in late-game management and limiting youthful mistakes. Additionally, Mitch Johnson should soon figure out the most effective lineups that best suit Fox and the rest of the team.

After suffering another defeat to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, the All-Star break could not come any faster for the men in black. Some players are beginning to hit a wall, and it is showing.

Once among the surprise teams in the NBA during the first two months of the season—a 9th seed in the Western Conference at one point—the Spurs have a long road ahead. The hope is that they can turn it around as a team before it's too late in the season. In the meantime, San Antonio may need some Swipa heroics.