New Giannis report gives Spurs/De'Aaron Fox development a potential explanation

(Editor's note: This article was published before the De'Aaron Fox signing)

De'Aaron Fox was eligible for a max extension yesterday, but the Spurs have yet to announce that they've come to an agreement. Those deals usually get done pretty quickly. This morning, Shams Charania gave insight into the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation, and his report was basically that there was nothing new to report, meaning the Greek Freak is still considering leaving Milwaukee.

It's quite easy to draw parallels between the two stories if he's correct that several teams are waiting to see how this situation is resolved. San Antonio's patience could have less to do with whether they're willing to pay Fox the big bucks and more with wondering if they still have a chance to acquire the Big Buck.

Spurs were centered in Giannis rumors months ago

If there was never any smoke suggesting that the Silver and Black were interested in going after Giannis, then this would be pure speculation. And to some degree, it still is. However, there were, in fact, whispers that San Antonio was very interested in adding the future Hall of Famer to their roster. If that's still the case, waiting to pull the trigger on a Fox deal makes more sense.

Don't get me wrong, I still think a three-guard lineup would work out great for the Spurs. Whether Fox, Stephon Castle, or Dylan Harper comes off the bench (it likely wouldn't be Fox), they could make that work and thrive while doing so. But I'm not delusional. If you can substitute Swipa for Giannis, you have to consider that.

The Spurs would feel like a smacked rear-end if they gave D. Fox a max contract right before a breaking news announcement stating that Milwaukee's franchise star wants to be moved. And how bad would it be if the news came with the revelation that he prefers to go to San Antonio?

The last thing you'd want to do is give up Dylan Harper or Stephon Castle if you're Brian Wright, but giving them a former All-Star in his prime, who has won the Clutch Player of the Year award, and dropped a 60-piece just last season.

The situation could turn into some kind of sign-and-trade deal where the Spurs give up something like Fox, Devin Vassell, and/or Keldon Johnson, and three or four first-round picks. They'd have a lineup of Harper, Castle, Harrison Barnes, Giannis, and Wembanyama. Lindy Waters III, Carter Bryant, Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, Luke Kornet, and Kelly Olynyk would fill out the rest of the rotation.

Bucks fans seem to think that these rumors are media-driven, but they're not. Giannis has not committed to Milwaukee yet. Quite the opposite, actually. He's been evasive whenever he's been asked the question, and he's always left the door open to the possibility of leaving. That's the reality. So, until he outright says, "I'm staying," with no caveats, speculation about his future is fair game.